Kent honors Adopt A Street volunteers; staff reports growing participation and volunteer hours

The Kent City Council recognized the city’s Adopt A Street and Adopt A Spot volunteers on Feb. 4 and Public Works staff presented the program’s 2024 participation figures and logistics.

Environmental Specialist Ben Sari briefed the council and thanked volunteers ranging from individuals and families to churches, neighborhood groups, businesses and organizations. He said volunteers not only collect litter but also help protect wildlife, preserve water quality and model stewardship for children.

Sari reported 2024 program totals to the council: 1,105 volunteers, 11,707 bags of trash collected and 1,879 volunteer hours. He said those figures reflect a year of steady growth and called the volunteer contribution “mind boggling.” The city provides supplies to volunteers — grabbers, safety vests, gloves and bags — and will pick up filled bags once volunteers bag them. Volunteers may also receive a sign recognizing their group or organization.

Sari invited residents to join the program via the city website and thanked Mayor Dana Ralph, Council President Corr and other council members who participated in Adopt A Street activities. He closed with the program’s slogan, as stated in the meeting: “together, as Tony says, we can clean Kent one bag at a time.”

The council took no formal action; the recognition and presentation were part of the public communications portion of the meeting.