On July 21, 2024, 35 ASEZ WAO volunteers, joined by State Senator Shelley Mayer, cleaned up the Port Chester train station. This was part of the ASEZ WAO Green Earth campaign, which raises awareness of pollution as a serious threat to our planet.
The volunteers focused on the stairwell leading to the station, uncovering a lot of hidden trash and even an abandoned tire. Their teamwork allowed them to collect 43 trash bags, totaling an impressive 500 pounds of waste.
The Spirit of Community
As the volunteers worked, a local passing by paused to express his gratitude, saying, “Thank you” to all the volunteers. He shared how touched he was by the initiative, stating, “I haven’t seen anything like this in 15 years.” His comment reflects the impact of the clean-up on the Port Chester area, which has seen significant changes over the years. With a population of 30,253, Port Chester is a popular and busy village in Westchester County. However, like many urban areas, it has faced challenges with litter and pollution.
The clean-up caught the attention of Westchester News 12, where Senator Mayer shared her thoughts on the ASEZ WAO efforts. She said, “We did this exceptional clean up around the Port Chester train station. Volunteers came out to help with this collective effort. We achieved a lot as a community and I’m glad to be part of it. What makes the Church of God distinctive from other churches is the spirit of community. There are lots of organizations that say they have faith, but I’ve never seen this level of engagement with the youth. There is something different about this church.”
Following the clean up, Senator Mayer visited the Church of God for a brunch with the ASEZ WAO volunteers. There she learned about other ASEZ WAO initiatives and listened to the volunteers share their experiences. The senator was inspired by the youth’s commitment and looks forward to collaborating with ASEZ WAO in the future.
By removing pollution in such a visible public space, the initiative encourages the community to engage in similar efforts. When individuals take initiative, they can make a difference, but when a community comes together, the impact is even greater. ASEZ WAO is dedicated to creating a cleaner planet, and hope many more communities continue to join in this mission.
To view more ASEZ WAO events in New York, please click here.
