Saturday, May 3, 2025 9am – noon
VFW Day of Service: Community Cleanup Success
The Old Southeast Neighborhood Association proudly participated in the VFW Day of Service, joining forces with Keep Pinellas Beautiful, the City of St. Petersburg, and local partners to complete one of our most successful cleanup projects to date.
Thank you to the 25 dedicated volunteers who came out and helped remove a total of 3,060 pounds of dead plants, litter, and overgrowth along the bypass road near the Army Reserve, Polish American Society, and Coast Guard facilities.
This initiative brought neighbors together in the true spirit of service. The OSNA Day of Service demonstrated what teamwork can accomplish, even under the Florida heat and humidity.
Community Effort and Support
We want to extend special thanks to:
- Amy Parsons for bringing the Green Machine and trailer, along with expert plant advice
- Fonda and Steve Sabin for supplying tools, a trailer, and lunch from Old Southeast Market
- The Bayboro team for their power tools and energy
- Will Engleby for providing extra essential tools
- Sheila Monahan, an OSNA Board Member, for her plant identification and trimming expertise
Thanks also to all OSNA Board members who showed up to help, along with many other neighbors who contributed time and hard work.
We were especially grateful to have support from the U.S. Coast Guard, with both active duty and auxiliary membersjoining the effort. Thank you to Eli for securing the USCG ATV. We also appreciate Officer Jones of the St. Petersburg Police Department, who was on-site to help keep everyone safe.
What’s Next
This cleanup was only the beginning. In the coming weeks, the site will be mulched to prepare for Phase 2, which includes native plantings scheduled for the fall.
Thanks again to every neighbor, partner, and volunteer who helped make this day a true success for the Old Southeast community.
Event Overview
The Old Southeast Neighborhood Association (OSNA) will once again take part in the VFW Day of Service with a focused community cleanup project led by VFW Post 4256 member Bill Dahl. This year’s effort will target the planting strips along the bypass road that connects to the Army Reserve, Polish American Society, and Coast Guard facilities.
This cleanup is a key part of OSNA’s Day of Service initiative, developed in partnership with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Keep Pinellas Beautiful, and the City of St. Petersburg. It reflects a shared commitment to restoring and improving public spaces in and around the Old Southeast neighborhood.
These planting strips require cleanup in preparation for future restoration, including mulching and native plantings planned for the fall. This project builds on last year’s record-breaking volunteer effort, which removed over 3,000 pounds of overgrowth and debris.
All residents are invited to take part. Whether you’ve lived here for years or just moved in, this is a chance to meet neighbors, give back, and improve a space used by the entire community.
For details or to volunteer, text or call Bill Dahl at (603) 494-1525.
Honoring Veterans, Inviting Everyone
This effort is part of the national VFW Day of Service, first launched in 2022 to recognize the continued service of veterans beyond the military. The Old Southeast Neighborhood is home to many veteran residents, and OSNA is proud to honor them through this day of action.
At the same time, this event is open to all community members, regardless of background. Whether you’re a veteran, a student, a long-time homeowner, or a new neighbor, your time and energy are welcome. Together, we can help maintain and restore an important public space while building stronger community connections.
Join us in making a visible difference in Old Southeast.