On Sunday, June 23, 2024, 50 ASEZ volunteers from Washington, DC, and northern Virginia came together for a plogging cleanup at Ossian Hall Park. Plogging, the practice of picking up litter while walking, is a simple but effective way to clean up the environment. Because Ossian Hall Park is a “litter hotspot” in Fairfax County, the volunteers chose this spot for their first plogging cleanup. The volunteers collected 200 lbs. of trash from the sports fields, trails, and surrounding areas.
Plogging: A Global Movement for Litter-Free Spaces
ASEZ volunteers from George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College, American University, and Howard University participated in the effort. This event not only helped clean the park but also encouraged ASEZ members to incorporate environmental restoration into their daily lives. Through the Earth Recovery Project, ASEZ continues to tackle environmental challenges one piece of trash at a time.
“Maintaining the park and keeping it clean signals to others that the community cares about that place and is invested in keeping it safe,” said one ASEZ member who lives in Fairfax County.
Another volunteer, an adjunct professor at Northern Virginia Community College, said, “I’m really happy to be here and be part of this exercise to clean up garbage so that it will not get into our streams and rivers.”
Gratitude from the Neighborhood
One neighbor mentioned that he often worries about the trash scattered around the park. He is especially concerned about the playground, where he sees cigarettes, broken glass, and other items that are inappropriate for a children’s area. He expressed his gratitude to the volunteers who have been finding and removing the hidden trash around the park.
After the cleanup, one student shared, “At first it didn’t seem like a lot of litter, but as I started looking, there was trash everywhere. It felt great to see so much gathered at the end.”
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It’s great to see people from the community taking time out of our busy lives to give back to the community. Its minds sets like these I hope to see more of. Keep it up!
I genuinely agree! though they took time out of their day they all work with smiles and unity.
Wow it’s amazing to see young adults taking the first step in helping making the world a cleaner/safer place!
Yes, it really is…I couldn’t agree more! What a great example!!! Keep up the good work!!!
Glad to see Good people helping the community by picking up trash to help the environment!
I agree I love seeing this kind of this and looking forward to see/reading more of their good deeds.
I really like to go hiking on trails, but when I see trash, lying on the ground, such as cup lids and straws, it really makes me feel discouraged. I am very thankful to the people who pick up the trash so that the rest of us can enjoy a stroll in peace. To the students in ASEZ, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are keeping our water shed and our natural habitats clean of trash. Keep up the good work.
There is truly something different about this organization. When I participated I could genuinely feel the presence of God.
Thank you for stepping in with care and kindness to clean up what others left behind. Your efforts make a real difference and remind us all to treat our surroundings with respect.
I felt so encouraged seeing young adults spending their time on something meaningful,like cleaning the environment for their neighbors. Thank you ASEZ!
It is so wonderful to see people who recognize where change needs to be made, but then also taking action. Especially among the young community is extremely inspirational
So true I love seeing this kind of thing and look forward to seeing more. Please keep up the great works.
Awwww looks like fun!! I love to see people giving back and making the Earth a better place!
Thank you for stepping in with care and kindness to clean up what others left behind. Your efforts make a real difference and remind us all to treat our surroundings with respect.
Wow! Thank you to the university student and ASEZ volunteers who carried out the Earth Recovery Project locally in honor of World Environment Day. It is incredible and also concerning that 200 pounds of trash were collected from a single park.
This brings joy to my heart ! This is amazing work ! Truly these are angels who came down from heaven !
This young group of volunteers consistently do great work wherever they go and the global community is better because their united efforts! Keep doing a great job ASEZ…you will be richly rewarded!
Wow love the unity in the community !
Wow. It is really inspiring to see such an engagement in the community. So many smiles and such a clean park after!
Love seeing people help out in the community, please keep up the great work