A background of yellow t-shirts could be seen throughout Steinbach and the surrounding area this past weekend, when 2,250 volunteers showed up for the community’s 14th annual Pick up and Walk clean-up event.
“It was just amazing to see so many more people volunteer this year considering how cold and windy it was,” explains Grace Hiebert, the organizer for the event. “The Pick up and Walk Leadership Team were hoping for around 2,000 volunteers again this year but we were so blessed to see so many more people than expected. It tells us that the people of Steinbach care deeply for their community.”
Twenty-six churches and groups helped organize the event this year, with 9.5 tons of garbage being picked up, saving the City approximately $80,000.
“We couldn’t do this without the support of the churches because they all work together to encourage their congregants to participate,” Hiebert said. “It is incredibly unifying to work together for the same purpose and then to see 2,250 joy-filled people in the Steinbach arena about to clean up their community on a cold and windy day. It is a very gratifying and humbling sight to see.”
Mayor Earl Funk kicked off the event, with youth pastor Jason Heide leading in a prayer before everyone headed out on their various routes. The routes covered the ditches, roads, parks, open fields, and even the highways going towards Mitchell, Blumenort, and La Broquerie. Organizers were able to add many new routes this year as a result of the recent annexation.
A growing number of businesses helped cover event expenses by donations. “We are very thankful for the wonderful support we receive each year from so many businesses in Steinbach who donate funds or product to cover the expenses of the Pick Up and Walk,” said Hiebert. “We live in a very generous community!”
The Pick up and Walk is held annually on the 1st Saturday in May with next years’ event taking place on Saturday, May 2nd, 2020.
