Augusta District 2 Neighbors Unite for Community Cleanup

Volunteers gathered to collect garbage, tires, and other debris around Memorial CME Church.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 9:53pm

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An abstract, impressionistic scene of blurred figures working together to collect litter and debris from a residential street, with soft, warm pools of light and color creating a sense of community and togetherness.Neighbors in Augusta's District 2 come together to clean up their community, fostering a sense of pride and shared responsibility.Augusta Today

Residents of Augusta's District 2 came together on Saturday to clean up their community, collecting garbage, tires, and other debris around the Memorial CME Church on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The cleanup effort was organized by local activist Leland Dwight, who is working with Commissioner Stacy Pulliam to revitalize the Turpin Hill neighborhood through education, reducing gun violence, and addressing poverty.

Why it matters

Community cleanups like this one help bring neighbors together, foster a sense of pride and ownership in the local area, and address visible signs of neglect that can contribute to further decline. Augusta's District 2 has faced challenges with poverty, crime, and blight, so this cleanup is part of a broader effort to revitalize the neighborhood and improve quality of life for residents.

The details

Volunteers gathered at the Memorial CME Church to pick up litter, tires, and other debris that had accumulated around the property and along the surrounding streets. Organizer Leland Dwight said the cleanup is one of several initiatives he is leading in partnership with Commissioner Stacy Pulliam to address issues like education, gun violence, and poverty in the Turpin Hill community.

  • The community cleanup took place on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

The players

Leland Dwight

A local activist who organized the community cleanup as part of his efforts to revitalize Augusta's District 2 neighborhood.

Stacy Pulliam

The Augusta Commissioner representing District 2, who is working with Leland Dwight on initiatives to improve the Turpin Hill community.

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What they’re saying

“Education, the gun violence, the poverty. The building, the revitalization of our neighborhoods, so this is a powerful movement and doing so.”

— Leland Dwight, Organizer

“We can always complain about what's not happening, what's going on as you are driving down the street, as you see trash in the area, get out pick it up, carry a bag with you, carry a little picker-upper with you.”

— Stacy Pulliam, Augusta Commissioner

What’s next

Leland Dwight and Commissioner Pulliam plan to continue organizing community cleanups and other revitalization efforts in District 2 throughout the year.

The takeaway

This community cleanup demonstrates the power of neighbors coming together to take pride in and improve their local area. By addressing visible signs of neglect, the residents of District 2 are taking an active role in shaping the future of their community and setting an example for how grassroots action can drive positive change.