Stories from Our Community

Real people. Real experiences. Real impact.

Every Cleanup Has a Story.

Whether you’re an individual volunteer, family, school, business, nonprofit, neighborhood group, sponsor, partner, or event organizer, your experiences can encourage someone else.

Some stories celebrate people.

Some celebrate partnerships.

Some simply remind us why kindness matters.

We’d love to hear yours.

Featured Article

Volunteer Stories

What I Didn’t Expect When I Started Picking Up Litter

August 1, 2026 • By Tricia Tomlinson

I expected cleaner streets. I didn’t expect a better workout, or to discover that once a street is cleaned, it often stays clean. Picking up litter has taught me that small acts can have a much longer impact than we realize.

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Latest Stories

Imagine a Cleaner Seattle - One Can at a Time

Community Partners

Imagine a Cleaner Seattle - One Can at a Time

September 1, 2026 • By Pick It Up Seattle

Imagine… if every person left every place better than they found it. Our new Sponsor a Can initiative is one more way to turn that idea into visible action across Seattle.

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Volunteer Stories

Different Litter. Different Chalenges. One Shared Goal.

August 20, 2026 • By Tricia Tomlinson

There are many ways to care for Seattle. This video from We Heart Seattle is a powerful reminder that different kinds of litter can require different approaches — but every effort to leave our city better matters.

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Volunteer Stories

Apparently, David Sedaris Picks Up Litter Too

August 19, 2026 • By Tricia Tomlinson

David Sedaris talks about walking for miles and picking up garbage along the way. His simple example echoes the idea behind Pick It Up Seattle: see a piece, pick it up.

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Story Categories

Discover the people, partnerships, and moments shaping a cleaner Seattle.

Volunteer Stories

Experiences and lessons learned while helping clean our community.

Families in Action

Families making cleanup part of spending time together.

Businesses Making a Difference

Companies serving their communities through volunteerism and support.

Community Partners

Schools, nonprofits, churches, neighborhood groups, civic organizations, and sponsors working together.

Volunteer Spotlight

Celebrating individuals whose kindness inspires others.

Cleanup Adventures

Memorable events, creative ideas, and community gatherings.

Scenic Discoveries

Beautiful places volunteers discovered while making Seattle cleaner.

Kindness in Action

Small moments that remind us why community matters.