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Rail Trail cleanups create community, beautify South End

Every spring and fall season, volunteers spend an hour cleaning South End’s Rail Trail, collecting as much as a ton of trash in every three-part series.

A group of people posing with reflector vests and trash pickers.

With supplies donated by Keep Charlotte Beautiful, 100+ volunteers are outfitted with the tools to clean up near the Rail Trail.

Photo via South End Social

The first Rail Trail Cleanup of the fall season is about to kick off in South End. More than 100 volunteers will gather to pick up litter before celebrating their efforts. It’s all thanks to organizer Mike Martelette of South End Social.

“We have people from all over the city come,” said Martelette. “We’re doing something good for the neighborhood, getting small businesses involved, and having fun.”

South End Social partners with US Bank and South End to host the seasonal three-part series. Per each series, volunteers have collected ~one ton of litter.

Afterwards, volunteers celebrate at an appreciation event at The Union — earning a free drink plus the chance to win prizes from 25+ local businesses.

Mark your calendars:
Saturday, Sep. 28
Saturday, Oct. 19
Saturday, Nov. 23

Editor’s note: Registration is encouraged to participate. Volunteers can meet at the New Bern Light Rail Station between 10-11 a.m.

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