A Father's Day To Remember: The Songbird's Street Sweeping Summer

The Songbird Youth Volunteer Group has flown back to it’s nest! As school for the members comes to a close and summer vacation begins, the Songbird is looking forward to services during the summer- especially street sweeping. For over the last two years, the Songbird has been part of the Adopt-A-Road program, and sweeps the streets of Finley Avenue in Basking Ridge every summer and fall.

On Sunday, June 18th, a total of eleven members and ten parents gathered in the morning, grabbing garbage bags and tools, excited to begin the day of sharing laughs and maintaining the road once more. Donned in vests and gloves, the members set up large signs that said “Litter Patrol Ahead”, in order to ensure their safety. This way, when cars see the fluorescent orange, they know that there are volunteers on the road, and that they have to make sure to be conscious while driving around the area.

In the humid post-rain weather, the Songbird could feel the oppressive heat as they picked up refuse until the afternoon. There was a variety of waste that the volunteers encountered, but the most common type of litter gathered was arguably recyclables. Plastic water bottles and soft drink cans were most often collected by the members, and Songbird made sure to note that recyclables should be separated from the non-recyclables, such as cigarette butts, paper scraps, and food wrappers.

When the service was completed and all of the waste was collected, the members rejoiced, because they spent Father's Day in the best way possible. By cleaning the roads with their fathers helping them out, the members of Songbird grew more appreciative for all the things that dads do for them.

Over the course of their journeys growing up and becoming the volunteers they are today, their fathers have always been on the sidelines, supporting them along the way. While the members were sweeping the streets, it was the dads who pointed out the can that they missed, or carried the garbage bag when it got a little too heavy.

Without recognizing all of the efforts that fathers put into their daily lives to provide for the family, the message of Father’s Day would simply be missed. By spreading of gratitude and affection for fathers around the planet, all of the dedication the fathers of Songbird put into every task and service will never be forgotten.

The Songbird is is grateful to have the opportunity to contribute to the community and to have a role in maintaining the cleanliness of the town. With every conscious effort Songbird makes to give back to Basking Ridge, the volunteer group hopes that their smiles gained from the volunteering service will spread to those around them, encouraging positivity among the community the Songbird holds so dearly.