We are Better Together
Progress and change bloom when we stand together with a unified desire to serve. In Knoxville, there are many different organizations that all have goals to bring beauty, hope, and restoration. What some might consider a competition, we consider a collaboration.
On March 6, Knox Area Rescue Ministries partnered with Keep Knoxville Beautiful, Salvation Army, Metro Drug Coalition, and Volunteer Ministry Center to serve our neighbors in the Broadway area by clearing the streets of trash and litter.
Together, 104 volunteers joined with local partners and service organizations at the KARM courtyard to enhance the Broadway community. The groups then went around the Broadway corridor to pick up litter, trash, and remove debris. In the end, they tackled a huge feat of collecting up to 107 bags of trash, which is equivalent to 1,600 pounds of litter removed from the Broadway area!
These organizations have a true heart for Knoxville and for its residents. Through their like-minded nature and eagerness to serve, they were able to accomplish so much more than they would have alone.
Amanda Seale from Keep Knoxville Beautiful, the host of this event, said: “Partnering with KARM, Salvation Army, VMC, and MDC to host this litter clean up allows Keep Knoxville Beautiful to ensure that everyone gets to enjoy a clean, green, and beautiful environment.”
Overall, this cleanup is more than just about picking up trash. It was about showing care to our city and our neighbors. Celia Lively, with KARM, stated, “It comes down to taking pride in where you live and where you work. So, it’s really important for us to be able to give back to our neighbors this way.”
We are better together. As a mission, and as a community. Restoration is possible; it just takes partnership and dedication to see it through. These organizations’ teamwork are a wonderful model for those of us hoping to make a change.
