Simcoe Strong

Words really can’t explain how awesome today was!

So we'll let the photos do the talking first.

When we pulled up this morning there were already 30+ people waiting at 6:50am, gloves on, grabbers in hand, ready to go.

More kept showing up throughout the morning. By the time we were done, three trailers and truckloads of weeds, waste and debris were headed out of downtown Simcoe.

Go take a walk. You'll notice the difference.
None of this happens without people deciding that this place is worth their time on a Monday morning, and today, a lot of people made that decision.

This is what makes a community. People showing up for the place they live in, for no reason other than that they care deeply.

A massive, heartfelt thank you to OPSEU/SEFPO Local 204 for showing up in a big way and bringing that incredible energy from the jump. You set the tone for the whole morning and we won't forget it. Looking forward to doing it again!

Next is a big shoutout to Cody Boswell for sending OPSEU our way!

Huge thanks as well to Riversyde 83 for allowing us to saddle up alongside.

And so many more including:

Kinsmen Club of Simcoe
Hope Harbour Ministries
Rosemary Barbier Carter
Keith Milner 4 Mayor
Bargain Boutique Thrift Shop
The Creative BRU-tique
YummyFreeze & The Get Stuffed Bus
Crunchy Corner

And last, but certainly not least, Magnum for bringing everyone a ton of ice cream as a treat!

This is what Simcoe Strong is about.

Today was proof of what's possible when a community decides to move together.

More to come! Join us next time!

We are a go for tomorrow!

Meet us outside Riversyde 83 at 7am.

We'll have a cooling station set up, water and snacks on hand and crew leaders ready to get moving.

We want to take a moment to shout out the incredible local businesses who stepped up to support Monday's cleanup.

The Creative BRU-tique
YummyFreeze & The Get Stuffed Bus
Bargain Boutique Thrift Shop
Crunchy Corner
Kinsmen Club of Simcoe
Magnum Ice Cream

Your generosity fuelled this effort and it means more than you know.

If you're joining us and have a grabber or a few extra garbage bags, please throw them in the car.

We can never have too many of either.

Downtown Simcoe, we'll see you in the morning. 🌿

Fingers crossed: Clean up for Monday.

The air hasn't fully cleared yet but we're cautiously optimistic, and right now we're planning to see you at Riversyde 83 at 7am on July 20th.

7am - 11am.

Simcoe Strong and OPSEU/SEFPO Local 204 are coming together like a Transformer to make this happen

We'll have a cooling station set up with snacks and supplies to get everyone going before we hit the streets. Stay tuned for any further updates between now and Monday morning.

A couple of things that would make a huge difference:If you have a grabber you can donate or lend, please reach out. They go fast and you can never have too many.

If you have access to a truck or trailer and can help with trash and lawn waste removal after the cleanup, that would be enormous. Reach out or just show up ready as we conclude at 11am.

We also want to recognize the people who have gone above and beyond to make Monday happen. Huge thanks to Keith and Andrea Milner and Cam and Rosemary Barbier Carter. Your donations are noted and greatly appreciated

Also, a massive thank you to the generous local businesses serving as cooling stations across the downtown.

The Creative BRU-tique
Crunchy Corner
YummyFreeze & The Get Stuffed Bus
Bargain Boutique Thrift Shop

Big props!

This is a found community showing up for the place we live.

Not because anyone asked us to, not because there's a payday at the end of it.

(SPOLIER: There isn’t)

But because we walk these streets, we know these businesses, and we give a damn about what this downtown looks and feels like.

That's what Simcoe Strong has always been about, and Monday is that idea at its most tangible.

40-50 volunteers redefining a Monday Morning in Simcoe

Let's get it done.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: CLEANUP POSTPONED

Simcoe Strong and OPSEU/SEFPO Local 204 organizers made a joint call - tomorrow's cleanup is postponed.

Air quality in the area is deteriorating quickly and we're not willing to put volunteers at risk.Not ideal, but it was an easy decision once we started turning it over. No cleanup is worth compromising anyone's health.

Don't worry, we're back at it this coming Monday, July 20th, from 7am to 11am.

The extra days actually give us a bit more time to organize, map out where crews are needed most, and do this properly.

We're also looking to establish a proper basecamp and cooling station for the day - somewhere volunteers can take breaks, hydrate, and get out of the sun. If your business or organization would be interested in hosting or supporting that, please reach out. It would make a real difference for our crews.

To everyone who donated supplies and everyone who was ready to show up tomorrow morning : thank you!

If you can make it, we'll see you Monday.

Please share this widely so the word gets out.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT - NEXT CLEANUP

It's that time of year again and if you've walked downtown lately, you already know. W**d season is here. We’re living in a concrete jungle.

Before we get to the big news, we want to take a moment to recognize a few people and places who have been quietly making a difference.

First, a huge thank you to Cody Boswell and Nathalie Robert who have not only been putting in the work with their own cleanups but documenting it and sharing their stories along the way. That kind of commitment is exactly how change becomes visible and visibility is how movements grow. Simcoe appreciates you both.

Second, we want to shout out Kaley's Restaurant And Kaley's Kakes and The Creative BRU-tique Bru-for fuelling our last cleanup crew. Local businesses showing up for their community is something we never take for granted. Both places are awesome - check them out!

Now, the big news.

This week, OPSEU/SEFPO Local 204 reached out to Simcoe Strong and offered something remarkable: 50 volunteers to help clean up downtown Simcoe, and a request for our help coordinating the effort.

You may have seen their members on the picket lines around town lately. They've received an incredible amount of community support, and they want to give something back in a way that's tangible and local. We think that's pretty special.

So here's what's happening: next Thursday, July 16th, from 7am to 11am ( yes, early, but we're beating the heat) you're going to see downtown come alive with people doing real work.

Simcoe Strong will be on the ground coordinating crews and directing attention where it's needed most. The primary focus will be weeds, garbage and cigarette butts, and with 50 sets of hands, we can make a serious dent.

Over the coming days we'll be canvassing the downtown to identify the areas that need the most love so we can put those crews to work efficiently.

This is exactly what Simcoe Strong set out to do this year - facilitate the kind of community action that actually moves the needle.

When a group like OPSEU/SEFPO Local 204 steps up and says "we want to give back," our job is to make sure that energy lands somewhere meaningful. That's what we're doing.

If you'd like to support the effort, we're not looking for more volunteers this time around - we've got the people covered.

What would make a real difference is donations of garbage bags and gloves. DM us directly if you are interested!