Want a chance to score some tickets to a Yankees game? A Bronx cleanup initiative is giving people the chance to get their hands dirty to help their communities by offering a little incentive.
The third annual Bronx summer cleanup series is a program launched by the Sanitation Foundation in partnership with the Bronx borough president's office, Amazon and other groups. It's part of an effort to encourage residents to help keep their streets clean.
"These cleanups are great," says Sanitation Foundation lead volunteer associate Johari Nova James. "It's a great community aspect and community event to bring people together."
This year's series involves six locations. The first one was in Kingsbridge Heights. Volunteers are given supplies and can travel along routes to pick up garbage.
Members of the Sanitation Foundation say they wanted to focus more on sidewalks and major areas and leave the parks to the city Parks Department.
"We kind of focus on the streets where a lot of residents walk," says James. "So, the residential streets and in front of businesses."
Everyone who participates receives a voucher to select Yankees regular season home games. The location that collects the most trash is invited to a VIP game experience.
Leslie Harrison, the founder and director of Community Bridges to Success, says it's important for residents to be proactive in their communities.
The cleanup series also has a local artist at each event as part of the city's celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.
The next cleanup event will take place on Saturday at Sedgwick playground in Highbridge.