Spring has sprung, the grass is riz, out cleaning parks and streets are where local residents is.
On Saturday, April 16, the Township of Langley’s Adopt-A-Program, Aldergrove Community Police Office, and local business associations will be teaming up with volunteers in two communities to get some spring cleaning done.
The events will be held in Aldergrove and Walnut Grove to kick-off Pitch-In Week, which runs April 18 to 24 across Canada. The clean-up events encourage residents to spruce up their communities and beautify their streets, trails, creeks, and parks by removing litter.
One Pitch-In Community Clean-Up will be held in Aldergrove’s downtown core from 8 a.m. to noon, and participants can meet at the Extra Foods Parking lot at 3100 - 272 Street.
The second Clean-Up will take place in Walnut Grove, also from 8 a.m. to noon, starting at the Walnut Grove Community Centre parking lot, 8889 Walnut Grove Drive.
The events are presented by the Township of Langley’s Adopt-A-Program, which will provide all clean-up supplies, along with a barbecue lunch for volunteers.
The RCMP and the new Aldergrove and Walnut Grove Business Associations are also involved, and so far 100 people have already signed up for the Aldergrove event, said Township of Langley solid waste technical assistant Tess Rutley. She hopes other residents will come out and enjoy the fresh air while making a difference in their community.
To register for the Aldergrove or Walnut Grove Clean-Ups, email adopt@tol.ca or call Tess Rutley at 604-534-3211, ext. 2208 or Cst. Paul Walker at 604-532-3212.
The Aldergrove Project
The Aldergrove Business Association, in cooperation with Langley Township, have put together an Aldergrove Youth Committee.
This committee is dedicated to supporting youth in creating monthly events for 11-18 year olds.
The goal is to have youth on this committee, leading the direction and goals desired by Aldergrove youth.
If you have some ideas, come out to the Aldergrove Athletic Park Field House on Thursday, April 14 at 5:30 p.m. For information email any questions or suggestions to: youthprogram@aldergroveba.ca
The Aldergrove Shoe Exchange Program has also officially started.
There will be drop-off boxes located at several shops in Aldergrove shortly, at a number of locations that will be publicized. For now, if you have runners, soccer boots or for that matter, any wearable shoes that will fit kids, take them to Boston Pizza in Aldergrove.
This program was initiated by Boston Pizza and Aldergrove Youth Soccer, in response to the need for youth footwear in this community.
Businesses open doors for Aldergrove
Aldergrove businesspeople are working together as a team and they invite everyone to jump on the bandwagon.
Several business people here have been working with the RCMP and Langley Township on establishing an Aldergrove Business Association (ABA) and it is now officially incorporated as a non profit society.
Over the past year the fledgling group has concentrated on crime reduction, beautification and community service projects that have brought about positive results.
“As a result of these activities, the crime level in Aldergrove has dropped significantly and pride in our community has soared,” said president Bruce Heslop. “Forming a business association was a natural progression.”
The ABA is non-partisan, but will press for constructive dialogue and cooperation between the community and political leaders, as well as with police.
"The ABA will represent business to make sure the Township of Langley does what we need," said Heslop.
The ABA has applied for grants to fund local improvement projects, as well as met with transit officials to push for better transit links within the community.
The ABA is also working with the schools and other organizations such as Aldergrove Fair Days to help each other out, such as by providing volunteers for events and special activities, such as beautification projects.
"We want to fill the empty stores and clean up storefronts. We want to encourage everyone to shop local," said Heslop, pointing to the looming competition that is coming with the High Point mega-mall at the Mount Lehman interchange.
The ABA is not a "business improvement association" and therefore does not levy a tax on property owners. Instead it is a registered non-profit society, primarily reliant on volunteers, and annual dues are $45. This is primarily to cover the cost of the ABA website.
THe trade area covered by the ABA extends from Mount Lehman Road to 232 Street and from the U.S. border to the Fraser River.
The website is www.aldergroveba.ca and information on the ABA can be had by emailing info@aldergroveba.ca or calling ABA president Bruce Heslop at 604-857-9191.