The Sanitation Foundation, the official nonprofit partner of NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY), is teaming up once again with the New York Yankees to launch the 5th Annual Bronx Summer Cleanup Series starting with a clean-up of Bedford Park this Saturday, July 12.

The 2024 series drew hundreds of volunteers and removed thousands of pounds of litter from Bronx streets and parks. This year, the Sanitation Foundation is aiming even higher.

Each summer, this borough-wide effort brings together residents, local businesses, and community groups to tackle litter and beautify the Bronx. Volunteers at this kick-off event and throughout the series will rally around the Sanitation Foundation’s “Don’t Do New York City Dirty” campaign, aimed at reducing litter and fostering civic pride. All participants will receive a voucher for two tickets to select 2025 Yankees regular season home games as a thank-you.

“We’re thrilled to return for a fifth year of clean-ups in the Bronx,” said Pam Harris, president of the Sanitation Foundation. “Our recent ‘Don’t Do New York City Dirty’ campaign is all about turning New Yorkers’ pride into action, and this cleanup series does exactly that. It brings people together to show we won’t do the Bronx dirty and rewards their hard work and collaboration with Yankees tickets. It’s a win-win for The Bronx.”

The Sanitation Foundation’s Bronx Summer Clean-up Series has become a crowd favorite and a highly anticipated event for New Yorkers of all ages. Foundation officials said the initiative also builds in some fun competition, saying volunteers at the clean-up events who collect the most pounds of trash will be the Yankees’ VIP guests on Saturday, Sept. 6, when the Bronx Bombers take on Toronto at 1:05 p.m. at Yankee Stadium.

Clean-up events will take place on select Fridays and Saturdays in July and August from 10 a.m. to noon and volunteers will collect litter along a predetermined route. All tools and safety equipment will be provided and full details and required registration can be found at www.sanitationfoundation.org/bronx-series.

Foundation officials said this clean-up series is produced in partnership with the New York Yankees, the Bronx Borough President’s Office, and the NYC Department of Sanitation, and is made possible with support from NYC Service and Target.

“Our participation in the Bronx Summer Cleanup Series reflects the tremendous pride we have in the Bronx and its various thriving neighborhoods,” said Brian Smith, New York Yankees senior vice president of corporate/community relations. “This program allows us to celebrate citizens who not only share this same feeling but demonstrate their pride by beautifying our borough.”

Meanwhile, Javier Lojan, acting commissioner of DSNY said, “Nobody cleans up the bases like Judge, and nobody cleans up the streets like New Yorkers, getting thousands of pounds of litter off the streets of The Bronx this summer. I want to thank the all-stars at the Sanitation Foundation, the Bronx borough president, and the New York Yankees for making these important events possible.”

The Bronx Summer Clean-up Summer Series calendar is as follows:

● Saturday 7/12 – Bedford Park

● Friday 7/25 – Westchester Square

● Saturday 8/2 – South Bronx

● Friday 8/8 – Yankee Stadium

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson said, “The Sanitation Foundation and the New York Yankees continue to show up for the Bronx, and I’m grateful for their partnership in our Summer Cleanup Series. Their commitment, along with the energy and hard work of our volunteers, makes a real difference. When we clean up our streets, we build stronger, healthier, and more vibrant communities. These efforts show what we can accomplish when we work together for the Bronx.”

For her part, NYC Service Chief Service Officer Laura Rog said, “Volunteers who support the Sanitation Foundation in their Bronx Cleanup Series show with their actions what it means to take pride in our city and take responsibility for our city’s success. We applaud the Yankees and Sanitation Foundation for their partnership to foster community action across the Bronx and to recognize volunteers for their acts of care!”

 

All New Yorkers, whether concerned with cleaning up The Bronx, interested in waste management, or just excited about earning free baseball tickets as a reward for giving back, are encouraged to join in this community-building cleanup series. For registration and full details, please visit www.sanitationfoundation.org/bronx-series.