Pacific Northwest Litter Pick Up Project

Inspired by Amma’s campaign to clean up India, in July 2011 Pacific Northwest devotees started planning an ongoing GreenFriends Litter Pickup Project. Amma approved the project during her Toronto programs later that month. Satsang members, as well as their friends, families and neighbors. Pacific Northwest Satsangs (i.e.in Washington, Oregon and British Columbia) are represented. We also have had participants in California, Indiana, Iowa, Toronto, New York, Europe and India!

In the early years, the satsangs sponsored work parties. Now Litter Project participants primarily work individually. In 2011 and 2013, Seattle area devotees received four grants from the King County Tobacco Prevention Program to pick up cigarette butts in seven county parks. King County offered these grants in order to assess the extent of cigarette litter in the county parks.

Once a month, participants report the total number of minutes/hours they picked up litter during the month. By September 2020, participants had picked up litter for 11584 hours! Many members have commented on how much joy they feel in serving the earth and the community in this way. In July 2011, Achala wrote: “30 hours of litter; 30 hours of bliss.”  In addition, many passers-by express their appreciation for our work.  Sometimes they even start picking up litter too!

 

Email Karuna or call 828-738-2662 for more information or to become a member.   Everyone from everywhere is welcome to join this project