Volunteers remove about 10 bags of trash near Richmond’s Bridgeport SkyTrain Station

The Story

A community cleanup effort in Richmond brought together volunteers and members of a local organization to remove litter near Bridgeport SkyTrain Station. The event took place on Sept. 13 and resulted in roughly 10 bags of trash being collected.

The cleanup was coordinated by the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) along with other volunteers. Organizers also noted support from the city’s Partners for Beautification initiative.

The project was described as being carried out “in the name of spiritual well-being,” with participants framing the work as more than routine maintenance. Organizers said the goal included keeping the area clean while also sharing a message of care with the broader community.

FFWPU member and volunteer Chong Hwa CostaAzevedo said the initiative aims to help maintain clean surroundings and to communicate messages of love, peace and care. The wording emphasized that community service and outreach were central to why participants showed up.

CostaAzevedo said the cleanup activities are rooted in the principle of “living for the sake of others,” a value highlighted within the federation. The federation’s spiritual leader, Hak Ja Han, was referenced as part of the teachings connected to that principle.

Organizers said participants viewed street cleaning as a demonstration that small actions can still carry meaning when people come together. The cleanup was presented as a practical step toward “peace” grounded in everyday service rather than a broader or more complex effort.

The event’s location—near Bridgeport SkyTrain Station—places it in a high-visibility transit area in Richmond. By focusing on the station corridor, organizers targeted an area where residents and commuters are likely to notice litter and where cleanliness can directly affect public experience.

Alongside the volunteer turnout, the city’s Partners for Beautification initiative was cited as a source of support for the work. That connection positioned the cleanup within a broader local effort to address cleanliness issues through community participation.

The Sept. 13 cleanup added a civic dimension to the federation’s involvement in Richmond, while also aligning with the theme of neighbourhood stewardship. The reported outcome—approximately 10 bags of trash—offered a tangible measure of the immediate impact at the end of the effort.

With Bridgeport SkyTrain Station serving as a major transit hub in the area, the cleanup underscored how community groups and city programs can coordinate to improve shared spaces. Organizers framed the work as both a cleanliness service and a community message aimed at encouraging continued care.