Table of Contents
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The fireworks had barely faded when a group of volunteers was already at work cleaning up what was left behind.
New Heaven New Earth Church Washington DC mobilized local youth and families Monday morning for a post-Fourth of July cleanup at Jones Point Park, collecting nearly 9 industrial-sized trash bags — roughly 180 pounds of trash — in two hours.
Working from 9 to 11 a.m. in partnership with the National Park Service, volunteers removed discarded food and beverage containers, firework debris, fishing rods and other litter from trails and surrounding green space along the waterfront park.
"Whether groups like us or other individuals, it's really important that we take ownership of the communities around us and the land that we use every day," said Ruth Assefa, a church representative. "We need to clean it up and be good stewards as citizens of the earth."
The cleanup comes as parks and public spaces across the region absorbed the impact of large Fourth of July crowds. Trash left in waterfront parks like Jones Point poses a direct threat to the Potomac River ecosystem — litter washed into storm drains can harm fish, birds, turtles and other wildlife.
"We have to clean it because we use it every day," Assefa said. "It's not just the government or National Park Service, but we as residents must take ownership and give back however we can."
New Heaven New Earth Church regularly organizes community service initiatives, including food and clothing drives, school supply drives and neighborhood cleanups.
