CAMDEN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — Volunteers fanned out across East Camden to kick off the city’s annual season of cleaning. This time, they were joined by a special guest: Philadelphia Eagle and Camden native Haason Reddick.
Much like football season, Camden’s third annual Camden Strong initiative kickoff was a team effort. Volunteers will spend the next several weeks picking up trash and debris at different sites all over the city.
Reddick said he’s thrilled to see people take pride in his hometown.
“We’re from here. We gotta live here. Let’s try to keep it as clean and as beautiful as we can,” he said. “This is our city. This is our town, so why not keep it clean?”
Mayor Vic Carstarphen led a group through the neighborhood on Wednesday, shouting over a bullhorn and encouraging more people to join them in picking up trash.
Carstarphen said it’s touching how some people met at previous cleanups and are now working together on their own.
“That’s a good, incredible influence for our community, when everybody is buying in on what we have to do to make our community better. I just try to lead the charge as best I can.”
Larry Barron lives and works in the city, and he said he’s volunteering so kids have a safe, clean place to play.
“A lot of times, when you show people that you care, it’ll rub off on other people, give them some incentive,” he said. “This really is a kickoff to the season, giving everybody the incentive to do more and just try to beautify the city.”
Cleanup volunteers will visit other neighborhoods over the next 13 weeks through the end of the summer doing the same thing.