The Pitch-In Committee had to cancel the annual community-wide Pitch-In Day clean-up in Innisfil, scheduled for May 9, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Normally, hundreds of residents turn out for the event – picking up gloves and garbage bags at their local fire hall, and then heading out to pick up the litter that has accumulated in ditches and roadsides, before gathering for an appreciation BBQ.
Not this year.
Despite the cancellation, some residents have continued to pick up litter in their neighbourhoods, determined to beautify the community. The Pitch-In Committee recently met on ZOOM, to recognize their efforts.
The 2020 Debbie Mills Civic Pride Award was presented virtually to Charlotte DeBiasi, who has made cleaning up the vicinity of Harbour Street in Churchill her special project. She received a certificate, and a Starbucks gift card, for her contributions to the town.
The committee also recognized Terry Asselstine for her efforts in keeping Lines 5 and 6, the connecting sections of 20 Sideroad and Yonge Street, free of trash and litter. She received a certificate and Tim Hortons gift card.
The Pitch-In Committee is also hopeful that small-scale clean-up events might still be held sometime this year, if the pandemic and COVID-19 restrictions are eased further.
A possible date: Waste Reduction Week, October 19-25, “pending provincial approvals.”
The Pitch-In Committee presentations took place at the June 24 virtual meeting of Innisfil Town Council.
