LANCASTER – More than 50 community members, joined by Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris, are expected to kick off the City of Angels-Antelope Valley Ministries’ inaugural neighborhood Clean-A-Thon on Saturday (Nov. 10), to raise funds for various community-based programs.
The Clean-A-Thon takes place, from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., at 4416 Jonathon Street in Lancaster (45th & J to 45th & K, and around Endeavor Middle School).
Unlike a traditional walk-a-thon, the Clean-A-Thon has a “clean twist,” calling on participants to walk, pick up litter—and bag it—all at the same time.
“For us, this is not just about raising funds to help keep our programs afloat,” said organizer Pastor Luis Martinez. “It’s about finding ways to give back. It’s about engaging all walks of life to do something—and give of themselves—to help maintain the beauty our high desert valley, so that generation after generation can fulfill their purpose, while learning to care for our environment.”
To help fulfill their vision, Antelope Valley Ministries turned to Waste Management to serve as their trash and recycling/clean-up sponsor.
“We are so excited to serve as the environmental services provider for the Antelope Valley Ministries’ inaugural clean-a-thon walk,” said Sandra Pursley of Waste Management. “We applaud their efforts to help promote environmental stewardship so that together we may keep this beautiful valley clean.”
Funds raised through the Clean-A-Thon will go to support City of Angels International Christian Church-Antelope Valley Ministry programs offered to the community, including:
- No cost marital and family counseling, including annual retreats;
- No cost counseling for teens, youth-at-risk and college students;
- No cost leadership training at Antelope Valley College and Cal State Bakersfield (CSUB-AV), as well as local high schools;
- Annual youth backpack festival (in conjunction with Pure & Simple Charities);
- Organization of our annual blood drives (November 3 & 10, 2012 with the American Red Cross);
- Annual Toy Drive (December 16, 2012; thousands of toys donated locally and nationwide);
- Monthly youth events for college students, teens and pre-teens (including a road trip to CSULB this Friday).
The community is invited to participate in the inaugural Clean-A-Thon, via trash pick-up and/or donations.
To make a monetary donation, make a check or money order payable to the City of Angels ICC-AV Ministries and give it to Rashima Erickson at the Clean-A-Thon on Saturday.
Monetary donations can also be made on Sunday (Nov. 11) at the Lancaster City Park’s Stanley Kleiner Indoor Activity Center. Online donations can be made by visiting www.caicc.net, clicking the “donate” button, and noting that the donation is for the AV Clean-A-Thon.
To donate by mail, send your check or money order to:
City of Angles ICC-AV Ministries
c/o Pastor Luis J. Martinez
4416 Jonathon Street
Lancaster, CA 93536
For more information on this Saturday’s Clean-A-Thon, contact 661.728.1456.
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