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Challenge idea
My love for a clean environment has made me join several volunteering environmental cleanup programs as well as clubs pursuing the cause of a beautiful ecosystem. The motivation for maintaining the integrity and assuming the responsibility of taking leadership is the perfect reason that encourages me to get involved in community clean up. When I considered the challenge, the activity that came into my mind was to organize a 3-hour community clean up around our area. Through this activity, I would be able to interact with my community members directly and help the community realize the benefits that come along with a clean environment. A healthy environment does improve the physical neighborhood. Besides, it creates opportunities for individual investment, social fellowship and pride to the people in the neighborhood. It will not only create a nice place to dwell but also portrays a better landscape for professionals, prospective employers, and other community visitors by providing the best health benefits.
A clean-up process begins with proper organizing and planning of the program. I can only manage through identifying key stakeholders (through stakeholder identification process) to form my committee. The 3-hour process will involve organizational representatives, businesses, and individuals who I will invite including city representatives, the city council, and the local media. Since community improvement involves private and public property, I will check with the owners of these properties before implementing the exercise. The cleanup is to have carried with four teams each having a team leader with Beautification and Clean-Up Checklist. The goal is to have the community beautified, and prospective investors familiarize themselves with the area.
Implementation process
On April 12, 2016, the team leaders arrived at the agreed venue 30 minutes before the rest of the members arrived. Thus facilitating the distribution of equipment and tools that were required to facilitate the process. Those painting buildings having worn paint were provided with necessary materials while those that were tasked with cleaning the river and opening some drainage system assigned accordingly. All the materials had been voluntarily donated by the participating organizations and some businesses that had vested interest in investing in the community (Donovan 27). I led the team of painters and managed to paint three social halls in the community within three hours, as the rest of the team leaders successful led their members in accomplishing their duties. After 3 hours, all the teams assembled at one hall that was the central headquarter where they received water and some refreshment. All leaders did report success despite small occurrences of minor injuries that were handled through the first aid kit that each team had. It was interesting that community members turned out in large numbers including the elderly in the community who expressed smiles throughout the whole process. As people took time to interact, I could see them happy and satisfied through their constant laughter. One old man requested the community to carry similar activities every three months to allow them to engage and give back to the community.
Summary
There was a complete change in the appearance of the area. The area looked pleasant with the drainage system flowing smoothly and all the dustbin boxes labeled accordingly. I felt the sense of fulfillment and enrichment on realizing the impact I had created to my community. The cleanup program had enriched the neighborhood, and it had provided an opportunity for people interact and create new friends. I realized that a few hours of providing help would provide a lifetime change and opportunity, which is the benefit of being a volunteer.

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Works cited
Donovan, Sandra. Volunteering Smarts: How to Find Opportunities, Create a Positive Experience, and More. Minneapolis: Twenty-First Century Books, 2013. Internet resource.