Spring Clean-Up and Earth Day Celebration

More than 80 volunteers showed up to pick up trash and sweep Downtown Hollister during The Annual Spring Clean-Up and Earth Day Celebration on April 19 on San Benito Street.

According to Arianna Hernandez of the Downtown Association, the main goal of the event was to clean up the city’s downtown area, focusing on the areas between 3rd and Hawkins Streets from Monterey to East Street.

“We will get the trash in the trees and around the bushes,” Hernandez said. “Also in the streets—just making sure we pick up all the little cigarette butts and anything that we can find to make it look nice.” 

The volunteers also cleaned up San Benito Street between 4th Street and 7th Street, South Street, and Swope Alley, Browns Alley, Wentz Alley, Briggs Alley, and Fremont Way. 

“A few people came with their families so they have support,” Hernandez said “We see a lot of friends picking up trash together and just enjoying themselves.

“This is our third time at this event,” volunteer Dorianne Jimenez said, “I started my own cleanup crew two years ago in Hollister.”

She said she continues to clean up our community daily, and every year on Earth Day, as part of the “California Clean-Up Crew.”  

Jimenez said she and her volunteer partner Alice Chang are also very involved. 

“We’re here to help clean up Hollister,” she said. “We have collected a lot of cigarette butts. It’s very important to ensure that we clean these up from the environment so they don’t end up in storm drains.” 

“I’m just joining Dorianne,” Chang said. “It’s a fun thing to do, and it’s nice to clean up the city.” 

Celina Marie, Integrated Waste Management Manager at the County of San Benito, said the event was launched in 2019, with virtual events during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said she was able to work with many community partners to bring the event together. 

“Typically, 400 people attended this event,” Marie said, “and I think we are on the right track, especially as the weather gets a little bit warmer.”

 Eli Garcia displayed some of his Earth Day artwork on San Benito Street.

“I did these with Sheryl Cathers, my art teacher,” Garcia said. “It took a little while, but I think it looks really nice.”  

“We came to perform and participate in the Earth Day,” said Malou Smith of the Ha’a Hula Group. “This is the fourth time that we’ve danced here. It’s a great turnout with all these booths, and all these people out here.”