"Quite a bit done:" More than 100 clean up Sherman Park neighborhood, still reeling after unrest



MILWAUKEE -- More than two months after the unrest in Milwaukee in the wake of the fatal shooting of Sylville Smith by a Milwaukee police officer, those with more than a dozen organizations came together on Sunday, October 23rd to clean up Milwaukee's Sherman Park neighborhood before the cold sets in. Organizers said this initiative was "just the beginning."

Rev. Dan Czaplewski



"We're not going anywhere -- and we are going to do what we got to do," Rev. Dan Czaplewski said. "We've got a lot of broken glass, that's for sure. We did get quite a bit of work done. We've got piles of trash all over the place."

Rev. Czaplewski said he wasn't surprised by the number of people who turned out for "Make a Difference Day" in Milwaukee's Sherman Park neighborhood.

"Every little bit helps. There are a lot of good people in this neighborhood . And there are a lot of good people who want it to be even better," Rev. Czaplewski said.

People like Kiersten Caine and Lacy Hoffmann.



"This is a great way, on a beautiful Sunday, to be able to be out in the community -- to smile and pick up some garbage for some people," Caine said.

"It's also a teaching opportunity for my daughter to give back to those around us," Hoffmann said.

More than 100 volunteers picked up trash from sidewalks and alleys between 51st and 60th -- from Locust to Center Street.



It's an area of the city that, more than two months later, continues to heal after two nights of unrest in August.

But Rev. Czaplewski said consider this:

"Mount Calvary has been here 90 years. Bethel-Bethany almost 100 years. St. Catherine almost 100. We're not leaving," Rev. Czaplewski said.

With a strong foundation, any community can overcome, and it can start with taking a few steps, picking up some trash, and making your neighborhood look better than ever.



"We're going to keep doing that. We love this neighborhood too much," Rev. Czaplewski said.