Tidy Up Tomball: First Tomball Trash Clean-Up Initiative a Community Winner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 

 
Tidy Up Tomball: First Tomball Trash Clean-Up Initiative a Community Winner

Tomball, TX November 4, 2023 – In a remarkable inaugural event, Tidy Up Tomball sparked a community movement to keep Tomball cleaner, as residents, businesses, and city officials united for a city-wide trash clean-up event. “I was amazed that in a half-mile stretch we collected a dozen bags of trash,” said one volunteer. “And now I see trash everywhere and want to clean up more of Tomball!”

The idea came from Amanda Trickey, a local resident, and owner of digital marketing company Modern Marketing & Media. “I grew up with the mentality of leaving a place better than you found it. We’ve lived in Tomball since 2012 and have seen it grow and change in exciting ways, but anytime more people move into an area, trash starts to become a problem. I wanted to figure out a way to get the community involved in keeping Tomball a cleaner place to live, work, and play,” said Trickey.

In February 2023, she met with Jonetta Barnett, owner of videography services company Jonetta B Productions and Tomball Mayor Lori Klein Quinn about city approval and support for the event. Trickey then presented her initiative to the City Council that evening.

Tidy Up Tomball was approved shortly thereafter. But there was much to be done before Tidy Up Tomball could be launched. The nonprofit organization formed a working committee of community leaders, submitted its 501(c) tax exemption status then went to work developing a marketing plan and securing items necessary to run the event, including mapping out 19 trash pick-up routes.

On Saturday, November 4, the planners, organizers, advocates, and volunteers gathered at 7:00a.m. to kick off the inaugural event. The Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce President Bruce E. Hillegeist welcomed and thanked everyone who was participating in the fall Tidy Up Tomball efforts.

The air was filled with energy and excitement as the 180 “trash grabbers and picker-uppers” citizens began their garbage scavenger hunt. They filled numerous trash bags and netted 300 pounds of garbage from the streets of this picturesque small town. The Tomball Police Department provided safety escorts for protection on busier roads.

“My kids are here today. Seeing them and other kids having fun picking up trash was the best part!” said one volunteer mom. “Imagine what impact our kids can make in this world with lessons like these. All it takes is picking up and disposing of one piece of trash at a time to create a movement.”

Another volunteer said, “I think I am most proud of the initiative that this event drives in making people more aware of the trash around our city and how just picking it up as you go about your day – even on the way from your car into the store – makes a huge difference.”

The executive and working committee included Jonetta Barnett, Brooke Cegielski, Amanda Coolidge, Florine Ellis, Elaine Hancock, Drew Huffman, Amanda Kelly, Emma Leatham, Meagan Mageo, Lori Klein Quinn, Nikki Ramon-Gross, Colleen Pye, Alena Strand, Amanda Trickey, and Michael Truitt.

Sponsors for Tidy Up Tomball 2023 are Beautiful Bliss, Benchmark Signatures LLC Mobile Notary Services, Jason Brandolini, Broderick Dean Construction, City of Tomball, Colleen Pye – Realtor, Cozy Little Casa Creations, Dandi Daniels of Tomball Emergency Assistant Ministries (TEAM), First Baptist Church of Tomball, Florine Ellis, Hampton Inn & Suites Tomball Houston NW, HCA Houston Healthcare Tomball, HEB Tomball, Houston Poly Bag, Jonetta B Productions, JustServe Tomball, Roy & Gail Randolph Karthost, Modern Marketing & Media, Old Town Duo, Pine Street Eats & Sweets, PostNet, Seniors Helping Seniors, Seven Brews Drive-Thru Coffee, Sprouts, Tomball EDC, Michael Truitt, and Water Tree Tomball.

Tidy Up Tomball Spring 2024 is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, May 4, 2024. To learn more about donating, volunteering, or sponsorship for next year’s event, email info@tidyuptomball.com or contact Tidy Up Tomball. Together, we can keep Tomball a cleaner place to live, work, and play, one piece of trash at a time!

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