On April 25, 2026, a dedicated group of volunteers spent the day revitalizing community spaces across Chicago. Mobilizing two distinct teams, they set out to clean the streets of Chinatown and the sprawling grounds of Palmisano Park. From young children to young professionals, the participants translated the belief that cherishing the earth is equivalent to caring for all living beings into practical, everyday actions.
Bringing lessons to the streets
The morning clean up began in Chicago's Chinatown. Accompanied by ten parents and six volunteers, 21 students from the Saturday Happy Growth Class stepped out of their classrooms to clean the local streets. The initiative served as a practical application of their April curriculum, which focused on environmental protection.
LEFT: Children from the Saturday Happy Growth Class wear gloves and hold grabbers, ready to depart. RIGHT: Everyone happily checks the results of their cleanup efforts after returning to the Tzu Chi Chicago service center. | Photos: Dennis Lee
Equipped with gloves, grabbers, and trash bins, the children spent 45 minutes meticulously clearing cigarette butts, plastic waste, and paper scraps from two main streets. Before the cleanup commenced, teachers Abraham Chien (簡澤兆) and Siying Lu explained the significance of the activity. They emphasized that environmental protection is an action anyone can seamlessly integrate into their daily lives.
LEFT: Parents and children pick up trash together, enjoying family time while completing meaningful work. RIGHT: The youth association gathers to learn about cleaning guidelines and safety precautions. | Photos: Dennis Lee
For student Miaozhi Rong (容妙芝), the constant bending to pick up litter was physically demanding, but the results made the effort worthwhile.
It felt quite tiring. But this way, the environment won't be dirty and messy, causing people to get sick. I will tell my mother that I want to clean our yard.— Miaozhi Rong, Student
Restoring public green spaces
In the afternoon, the focus shifted to the 26-acre Palmisano Park. As part of their annual Community Service Week, 15 young adults joined forces to clear the green spaces. They were accompanied by Chong Hsieh (謝重輔), Executive Director of the Chicago Chapter, and Yahmei Tsai (蔡雅美), Deputy Executive Director of the Chicago Chapter. A Chicago City Park volunteer provided guidance on proper cleanup procedures, highlighting the importance of maintaining public areas.
LEFT: Volunteers provide t-shirts and hats to youth association members without uniforms. RIGHT: Youth volunteers sort recyclables like aluminum cans and plastic bottles while picking up waste. | Photos: Dennis Lee
The youth volunteers meticulously separated recyclables, such as aluminum cans, plastic bottles, and glass, from general waste. Their goal was to ensure the park remained a welcoming, clean environment for both residents and visitors.
LEFT: A Chicago City Park volunteer explains how to properly maintain public green spaces. RIGHT: Picking up trash in the park serves as a highly meaningful outdoor activity for the volunteers. | Photos: Dennis Lee
Qi Zhao (趙琪), a youth volunteer, found the physical labor deeply rewarding and reflective.
I'm very happy because it's like cleaning my own room; when I look at the clutter piling up, my mind feels restless. When I clear away all the garbage and watch the green space that was originally covered up reappear, I feel that I am doing my part for the environment, and it is quite fulfilling to be able to accomplish this with a group of friends. Tzu Chi's mission is very inspiring to me, and I hope to continue participating in the future.— Qi Zhao, Youth Volunteer
Zhao noted that while Earth Day often focuses on individual recycling efforts, this community event successfully united people from diverse backgrounds for a shared purpose. Whether navigating busy urban streets or expansive parks, the volunteers proved that everyone plays a crucial role in safeguarding the environment. As the children learned the value of their surroundings and the young professionals experienced the power of teamwork, their collective actions demonstrated a profound commitment to protecting the earth.
Written by Huey Shann Sue (丘蕙珊), Siying Lu (盧思穎), Dennis Lee (李侑達)
