A clean-up event sparks ongoing change

Woman stands on dumpster after community clean up

Posted: July 17, 2024 3 min read

Lasting Impressions

A clean-up crusade grows with promotional signs

Posted: July 17, 2024 3 min read

The Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment faced a hurdle. The organization, which serves 160,000 citizens, needed to reach residents in a specific neighborhood to let them know the date for a first-of-its-kind community clean-up event. Success hinged on engaging residents to remember the date and actively participate, crucial for fostering community bonds and enhancing the neighborhood’s cleanliness. They found a powerful solution to this challenge through the utilization of yard signs for a cause.

“Spreading the word with just social media or flyers wasn’t enough. We needed to be in the community. The yard signs were a great daily reminder of the upcoming event as residents were driving through the neighborhood,” said Trysten Garcia, public information officer.

Turning waste into wins

The campaign saw impressive results: 150 community members dropped off a total of 13 tons of trash, filling seven 30-yard rollaway dumpsters, as well as loading a tractor-trailer with approximately 500 tires. Metal was also collected for recycling.

“What was most exciting for us was that this neighborhood committee brought us the idea. We just helped put their good intentions to work,” Garcia said. “The committee is made up of people who own businesses and live in the area, so their initiative gave us the confidence to ensure we would have places to put the yard signs we were ordering.”

The group selected promotional yard signs durable enough to withstand Colorado weather, spreading the campaign’s message through unpredictable spring and summer conditions. The signs held up so well that they have been reused for other projects too.

The ripple effect

When a community is given the right tools and support, the impact can be profound and lasting. Not only did neighborhood residents experience the immediate benefit of cleaner streets, they also became motivated to continue the good work year after year.

“With us helping their initiative come to life, the community members have become so invested in it, their goal is to host clean-up events each year. They’ve already planned two more for this year,” Garcia said.

a dozen of community volunteers clearing out collected trash and recycling

The first of the 2024 events occurred with equally exciting results. Six 40-yard dumpsters were filled with trash, alongside a 20-yard dumpster loaded with metal scrap. Additionally, volunteers collected 45 tires and approximately 100 gallons of oil for recycling.

Neighborhood organizers recognize that healthier communities are built on projects like this. Using yard signs for a cause spreads the word, fosters a stronger sense of community and helps neighborhoods grow and thrive.

Your message will catch their eyes with these signs