Photo: Sally Perry(left), Rotarian, holding the jar of nails and Debbie Miller (right), holding her proclamation. Living the Dream, Picking Up Trash
Debbie Miller is just your typical Akron native, who enjoys going for walks around the neighborhood with her dog Henry. One day that all changed, when Henry sniffed a piece of broken glass on the sidewalk that ended up cutting his nose. Debbie vowed from that day forward, she was going to begin the movement of Keeping Akron Beautiful, picking up one piece of trash at a time.
Debbie first began with Firestone Park, where she filled trash bags full, and eventually cleaned all 70 streets in her neighborhood. The community began to notice her efforts, and shortly after she was on Channel 5 News as they shared her story. As of Monday April 1st, she has picked up 556,308 pieces of trash, and can average about 1,000 pieces a day. She spends roughly 4 hours a day, and 6 hours between Saturday and Sunday cleaning up different areas. Everything from cups and bags, to needles and knives, Debbie does it all! Her weirdest part yet has been an eight-foot bumper from a car, and she has a collection of 280 nails she has picked up since last September (shown in the photo.)
April 3rd, 2023, was named "Debbie Miller Day" for her cleaning efforts, and she even received a proclamation from the city for it! Her goals are to create a local Adopt a Street project where neighborhoods will have each street taken care of by someone on a regular basis. She spreads the word of her deeds to encourage others by handing out free buckets, cut resistant gloves, and trash picker tools to those who want them. This Spring she will be handing out free neon green shirts for those who want to do exactly as she does, and all the money she spends on everything comes straight out of her own pocket. In Debbie's words, "I don't do this for money or fame, I simply do it because I care, and I want the community to be a beautiful and safe place."
Go follow Debbie on her blog AkronWomanPicksUpTrash.