Trash People of McKinley Park: Community Cleanup x OKTOBERFEST

Trash People exists to facilitate community connection and contribution in Chicago. We make picking up litter SUPER FUN ;) and it's an easy way to meet your neighbors, new friends, and fellow Trash People.

Join us for a neighborhood clean up in partnership with the MCKINLEY COMMUNITY PLAY GARDEN. The community play garden is a hidden little wonderland of nature that is completely volunteer run by nearby neighbors. They will be hosting their annual OKTOBERFEST fundraiser (21+) after the cleanup starting at 6pm. It costs $30 and includes food and 2 drink tickets. Did I mention there will be a bonfire? Sign up through the seperate Eventbrite registration (Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/oktoberfest-2025-21-over-tickets-1619020958269). Would love for you to join whether this is your 1st or 15th time!

A friendly note for corporate teams: our events fill up fast and are intended for our community members. If you're interested in attending a clean up as a team volunteering opportunity, please email us at aGVsbG8gfCB0cmFzaHBlb3BsZSAhIG9yZw== to talk through how we can help! We'd love to hear from you.

What to expect:

• Meet us at 4:30pm outside the MCKINLEY COMMUNITY PLAY GARDEN (3518 S Wolcott Ave). Please arrive on time because this helps us run a smooth event. We'll begin by chatting for a little, passing out supplies, and then hop into the clean up. Please note advanced registration is essential due to the number of interested participants - please don't just show up!

• Everyone is welcome, and we hope you'll join us, especially if you haven't been before! We are a friendly bunch and exist not only to contribute to our community, but to make new friends within it, too :)
• We also hope trash will bring people together! Build in time to hang after for OKTOBERFEST for some drinks and food around the bonfire.

If you have any questions, the best way to reach us is via Instagram @trashpeopleofmckinleypark. If you don't have Instagram, feel free to email us at bWNraW5sZXlwYXJrIHwgdHJhc2hwZW9wbGUgISBvcmc=.

What to bring

• Please do check the weather and bring appropriate clothing/supplies - specifically you may like to bring a water bottle, sunscreen, and hand sanitizer. Be sure to wear comfortable and weather-appropriate shoes.

• No need to bring anything else - we supply all equipment!

• If you want to bring a friend, please also have them register via the Eventbrite link so we can plan accordingly - we also need all attendees to acknowledge our waiver.

What not to bring

• We love pets, but you'll need both hands, and we'll be working near busy streets! We regret dogs aren't allowed to join Trash People events, but you're very welcome to show us pictures :)

• We mostly work near busy roads, so for safety reasons, our events are adult-only (18+).

• If the event is fully booked, please add yourself to the waitlist or join us for the next one! In order to keep the group manageable for us as organizers, to ensure we have enough supplies, and to ensure all participants have signed our waiver, we require all attendees to have formally RSVPd through Eventbrite.

Also check out other Nonprofit events in Chicago.