Semira McFarlane (far left) with her Adopt-a-Block team
Every year, OPDC recruits, coordinates, and supports teams of student volunteers for clean-up events all over Oakland. Our Adopt-a-Block student groups have fun, make friends, pick up litter—and help build Oakland connections.
Members of Circle K, an international service organization at Pitt, are always looking for opportunities to volunteer. Semira McFarlane, Vice President of Service for Pitt’s chapter, says she likes Adopt-a-Block “because you can socialize while getting work done.”
McFarlane’s job with Circle K is to choose service projects for members to get involved in. “I really care about the work itself,” said McFarlane. “And I’ve gotten pretty good at it!”
Since McFarlane became team captain last fall semester, Circle K has organized 3 successful clean-up events along Semple Street, with more planned before the semester is done.
“It’s rewarding to see all the bags of trash piled up after we’re done as evidence of our accomplishment,” said McFarlane. Her team averages 4-7 bags of trash, which are collected by the Department of Public Works (DPW).
McFarlane laughed when asked what strange or unusual bits of trash her team has found along their route, which stretches from Atwood to Meyran.
“I’ve learned in general that people are gross and they spread their grossness outside their walls too often,” she said. “There’s always a lot of alcohol containers—I once suggested we play a game to see how many brands we could find.”
For McFarlane and her team members, Adopt-a-Block is not only a great way to volunteer, but a meaningful way to take care of the community that they live in. The students in Circle K live throughout Oakland, from South to North, and they take pride in helping to care for their neighborhood.
“I love living here,” said McFarlane, “I love how close I am to everything, how Oakland is busy but not too busy. It’s a great place to live as a college student.”
McFarlane says that she sees Circle K continuing their partnership with OPDC in the future. “I hope to have another 2 years in my position with Circle K and to continue doing this work with Adopt-a-Block for those two years!”
This year, OPDC worked with 299 volunteers who put in 385 hours collecting 126 bags of trash from the streets.
Thanks to all our amazing volunteers!