More than 200 volunteers picked up litter across Woodside’s Little Manila on Saturday, collecting over 400 pounds of trash and debris in a Filipino American History Month celebration focused on caring for the neighborhood, organizers said.
The fourth annual Little Manila Community Cleanup brought longtime residents, students, local businesses, community groups and public officials together Oct. 3. Volunteers gathered at Little Manila Park on 70th Street before heading out in teams along Roosevelt Avenue, Woodside Avenue and nearby streets.
For some, the morning was also their first visit to the neighborhood park.
“It was wonderful to see a record number of volunteers of different ages and backgrounds, many visiting our ‘green oasis’ for the first time,” Noel Gamboa of Little Manila Park said in a statement. He described the gathering as an expression of bayanihan, the Filipino spirit of collective service and mutual support.
The cleanup paired a familiar neighborhood task — picking up what others had left behind — with conversations about immigrant rights, health, public spaces and civic participation. After working through the streets, volunteers gathered at St. Sebastian Parish Center for a free lunch and community program.
“Filipino American History Month is an opportunity to celebrate our history and culture, but also to recognize the communities we continue to build together,” Assemblymember Steven Raga said in a statement. “Seeing more than 200 people come out to care for Little Manila reflects the pride and spirit of service that defines this neighborhood.”
Organizers reported both the attendance and the amount of waste collected. The annual event has become a way to connect the October observance with neighborhood stewardship, bringing people together around the streets, businesses and public spaces that sustain Little Manila.
Rachelle Ocampo, president of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations’ New York chapter, said participants spanned generations.
“People of all ages came together to celebrate our heritage and community pride while beautifying Little Manila,” Ocampo said. “From our Know Your Rights session to programs on health and civic engagement, the day showed the strength of our community in action.”
Damayan Migrant Workers Association led the Know Your Rights session. Little Manila Park presented a discussion about green spaces, while the Rutgers-NYU Center for Asian Health Promotion and Excellence offered information on health and caregiving. NYC Votes contributed a civic engagement presentation.
The gathering also coincided with Woodside on the Move’s 50th anniversary. Executive Director William Jourdain said the cleanup reflected the neighbor-to-neighbor cooperation that has sustained the organization.
“It is a powerful reflection of what has sustained us for five decades — showing up for one another, working together, and building a stronger and more united Queens,” Jourdain said.
The event’s hosting partners were Little Manila Park, Woodside on the Move, the Center for Asian Health Promotion and Excellence, Filipino Oncology Network, NaFFAA New York, the Woodside Neighborhood Association and Raga’s office.
Additional partners included Apicha Community Health Center, Barkada NYC, Columbia Liga, Damayan Migrant Workers Association, FALA New York, Filipino School of New Jersey and New York, FIND District 3, International Women Artists and Kinding Sindaw.
Neighborhood Housing Services of Queens, NYC Votes, Project Barkada, Queensboro Dance Festival, Queens Community Board 2, Rutgers University RAPS, Stony Brook University PUSO, UNIFIED and Woodside Trash Club also participated as partners.
In a joint statement, Angela Callisaya, Anthony Szeto, Pastor Joe Mantovani and the Woodside Neighborhood Association described the cleanup as a chance to leave the neighborhood cleaner while showing residents that their shared spaces matter.
“It reminds us that we can accomplish more together,” they said, “and that it takes a diverse community to care for a diverse community.”
