Assemblyman William Colton (D—Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Dyker Heights) and City Councilmember Susan Zhuang (D—Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Gravesend, Dyker Heights, Boro Park and Sunset Park) took to the streets with a team of dedicated volunteers on Saturday, July 26 for a community cleanup.

During the cleanup, approximately 40 enthusiastic volunteers, including many high school students from such schools as Brooklyn Tech, Stuyvesant and other local schools, plus a team from Chinese American Social Services, could be seen on Bay Parkway, Avenue O, 86^th Street, West 11^th Street and 21^st Avenue, attacking debris with brooms and shovels, clearing branches, and bagging trash and fallen leaves on block after block.

“It’s always encouraging to join a group of our neighbors and spend a few hours beautifying the area,” said Assemblyman Colton. “We accomplish so much, because not only do we make our important shopping strips more beautiful through our efforts, but we show the importance of banding together as a community to make a difference where we live and work. A cleaner neighborhood is a more pleasant neighborhood, and it’s a neighborhood where people want to spend time, which benefits everyone.”

“This year, I’ve dedicated several city resources to cleaning up our community. I’m proud to partner with Assemblyman Colton to ensure our neighborhoods are clean, with the help of our very own neighbors,” said Councilmember Zhuang. “Every single person deserves a safe and clean community.”

Assemblyman Colton has led community cleanups for over a decade; he and Councilmember Zhuang sponsor cleanups through the summer and fall. The next cleanup is scheduled for August 9.