Vaughan citizen who started 300-member group to clean parklands and ravines gets city recognition

Thestar.com
Jan. 24, 2022

Who would start a group to help clean parklands and ravines? The answer is Svetlana Katcharovski, a Vaughan resident.

Katcharovski is behind a group called Act Clean Vaughan, a grassroots community initiative with more than 300 active volunteers. She was recently presented with the 2021 Ward 4 Civic Hero Award during a committee of the whole meeting on Jan. 18.

Vaughan’s Civic Hero Awards are presented annually to one resident from each of the city’s five wards.

With the goal to “preserve Vaughan's parklands, ravines and open spaces for future generations,” the city said, the way the group works is by co-ordinating regular community cleanups.

The group also collaborates with regional and municipal staff to “raise public awareness on the importance of environmental stewardship.”

The group has collected more than 350 bags of garbage from local neighbourhoods and established an adopt-a-mailbox program, where residents take responsibility for painting and maintaining a nearby mailbox.

“Under Svetlana’s leadership, Act Clean Vaughan has helped safeguard and beautify Vaughan’s public spaces for everyone to enjoy,” said Ward 4 Coun. Sandra Yeung Racco.

“In addition to her environmental initiatives, Svetlana has devoted countless hours of her time volunteering for the McMichael Canadian Art Collection and Mackenzie Health, which continues to make a positive impact within her community.”

Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua said during the meeting that he is grateful for citizens like Katcharovski.

“Along with a dedicated group of her fellow citizens, Svetlana has made a tangible and positive difference that can be seen in neighbourhoods across Vaughan,” said Bevilacqua.

“We are grateful for citizens like Svetlana, who dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to champion issues that matter most to our community's health and well-being.”