Cape Coral neighbors unite for Earth Day cleanup of post-Ian trash

For Earth Day, Cape Coral neighbors did their part and picked up some of the smaller trash left scattered around many neighborhoods since Hurricane Ian.

“We’re out here today trying to clean up little bits and pieces that are left, trying to make the city as beautiful as possible so that we can have a great recovery effort moving forward,” said Cape Coral man Omar.

The citywide cleanup was organized to pick up the small stuff left behind after Ian. The biggest debris is gone, but the high winds blew lots of other easier-to-miss detritus around.

Cape Coral Interim City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn helped create and organize the cleanup.

“What I’m hoping to see today really is the love for our city come through,” Ilczyszyn said. “We have a lot of residents who care about this place, a lot of employees, a lot of businesses. And you know, we all came together in the days after the storm. And what I’m hoping to see today is that same level of effort or even greater.”

WINK News spoke with people in the community about what brought them out to do their part on Earth Day. Omar brought his kids along with him for several reasons.

“We just wanted to, you know, represent the city… and have the city look as best as possible. And get the kids involved so they can learn about the importance of Earth Day and the importance of taking care of where you live and anyone on the planet.”

The city had over 1,200 people sign up online to clean up around Cape Coral. By the looks of things, neighbors are committed to bringing the city back to how it looked before Ian.