One Check Away Featured in "Your Observer" for Newtown Community Cleanup Sarasota

Michelle Paul
Sep 5, 2025
2 min read

On August 23, 2025, One Check Away proudly joined Sarasota County Code Enforcement, local partners, and neighbors for the Newtown Community Cleanup Sarasota. This community-wide effort, held at Newtown Estates Park and along Dr. Martin Luther King Way, provided residents with a safe, convenient way to dispose of large debris, appliances, yard waste, and old furniture.

We’re honored that our participation was highlighted in the Your Observer article, shining a spotlight on the importance of supporting vulnerable residents.

Volunteers unloading debris during the Newtown Community Cleanup. One Check Away was proud to participate in this effort, which removed nearly 24 tons of waste. — Saturday, August 23, 2025 Pictured: a local area resident (r) along with Sarasota County Health Department's Community Health Action Team Coordinator, **Andre McClerklin**. Image Credit: Your Observer

Why the Newtown Community Cleanup Sarasota Matters

For many families, these events are not just about beautification—they’re about survival and dignity. Seniors, residents with physical limitations, and families caring for children with disabilities often cannot remove bulky items on their own. Many have family members, but too often they live far away and can’t assist regularly.

By helping with cleanup efforts, we:

Support aging residents who want to stay safely in their homes
Assist single parents juggling caregiving and work
Empower families with disabilities to live independently

Community Impact

The Newtown Community Cleanup Sarasota had a measurable impact:

23.99 tons of debris removed in Newtown alone
149 tons collected countywide this fiscal year

With support from FCC, Waste Pro, Sarasota County’s Hazardous Waste team, and local volunteers, the community came together to make neighborhoods cleaner, safer, and storm-ready.

As our CAO, Darrick Paul, shared with Your Observer:

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the community to coalesce as one, to clean and beautify, because when you clean and beautify an area, it instills community pride.”

How You Can Help

At One Check Away, our mission is to support those who are just one check away from hardship. Joining efforts like the Newtown Community Cleanup Sarasota reflects that mission in action.

While financial contributions are appreciated, helping others is not always about donating money. Giving your time, the most non renewable resource, can be more impactful and in some cases more valued. Sometimes we think throwing money at a problem is best, and that's great for products but not so much for people. It's our time that makes a difference. It's something i learned during my service to Meals on Wheels. Sure the food was a nc

✅ Volunteer at future cleanup events

✅ Support One Check Away’s programs for seniors and families

✅ Share our story and help us build stronger, safer neighborhoods

🌍 Community & Cleanup

#CommunityCleanup #NeighborhoodPride #StrongerTogether #KeepOurCommunityClean #BeautifyNewtown #CleanAndGreen