By Kathy Chouteau
The Richmond Steelers, a football and cheer program for 5–14-year-olds, is taking pride in the neighborhoods they represent by teaming up off the field. One day a month during football season, they’re tackling “Monthly Community Cleanups” at Richmond parks.
First stop for picking up trash was Nicholl Park in August. The team formerly practiced there, so it’s “very special to our heart,” said Koletti Ieremia, the team’s community relations & outreach contact. She said it was a great choice since it “gets a lot of traction” from Richmond sports teams and community events.
At the suggestion of the City’s Richmond Love Your Block program, the team also cleaned the 42nd Street Pocket Park in September. Ieremia said the kids filled up 15 bags of garbage from that park. “It leads into a trail, and then it also leads into some neighborhoods, so we just captured that entire area.”
On Oct. 18 from noon to 2 p.m., the team will spruce up JFK Park, and Nov. 15 from noon to 2, they’ll head to Unity Park. Ieremia said some nonprofits help care for Unity Park and the Greenway, but “that park really still always needs constant love.”
She added that community members are welcome to join the team at the remaining parks to pitch in. “We encourage players, friends, church members and anyone who wants to come.”
Ieremia shared the purpose of getting the team’s players and cheerleaders involved in the park clean ups. “These are our parks that we go play at, so let’s make sure we’re also keeping them clean,” she said. She added that it helps develop leadership skills and a sense of responsibility in the kids. Gloves, garbage bags, snacks and water are provided by the team for the kids.
Ieremia put her head together with team volunteer Tashi Johnson in brainstorming the idea for park cleanups. Initially, they thought of doing one larger cleanup, but Johnson’s longtime friend, Brandon Evans—a nonprofit leader and candidate for Richmond City Council in D3—suggested the kids cleanup a few parks instead. Evans “uplifted” the park cleanups with his ideas and know-how, said Johnson, including his input that they would need permits to clean the parks. And it made sense to everyone to spruce up parks in the neighborhoods where the team’s kids live.
Ieremia said, “The goal is to make sure all the kids really can take pride in their city and keep it clean and make it beyond just football.” Park cleanups “can also build community, together with each other, so then they’re bonding outside of football and they can have these shared experiences later,” she added.
Seasonal changes have forced the team to practice in the dark behind Lovonya De Jean Middle School. The Steelers are in serious need of portable lights, according to the team. Anyone who can help, contact [email protected]. Learn more about the Richmond Steelers.
