Falcon Heights, MN - Last weekend, SPIRE wrapped up its third season of collecting trash in the Lowertown neighborhood of St. Paul. For the last six months, volunteer crews have met in Mears Park and fanned out to pick up trash in a two-block radius from the park. For two hours each month, they have cleaned up the park, as well as the streets and sidewalks in front of destinations like CHS Field, Union Depot, and popular Lowertown bars and restaurants.

So, why do it? With a branch in Galtier Towers, SPIRE has had long-standing relationships with neighborhood businesses and community organizations and they asked SPIRE to help them keep Lowertown a great urban destination. Since 2017, numerous residential communities, churches, businesses, and other local organizations have joined SPIRE ambassadors in the cleanup crews - and many keep coming back.

"We are so thankful to the Lowertown community for coming together and joining us in our cleanup crews," stated SPIRE Director of Business Development Rachael Reiling, "the dedication to and pride for the neighborhood of Lowertown residents, businesses, and organizations is amazing to see and we at SPIRE are so happy to be a part of it."

In 2019 alone, 75 crew members logged 150 volunteer hours and collected 633 pounds of trash (yes, we weighed it). SPIRE would like to thank our 2019 partners: Black Dog Café, Capitol Region Watershed District, Dellwood Gardens, The Reserve Roseville, and the St. Paul Saints.

About SPIRE Credit Union: A full-service financial institution, proudly serving Minnesota and Wisconsin residents since 1934. SPIRE is committed to providing smart products, great rates and excellent service with a goal to improve the financial lives for both personal and business members. SPIRE has 19 branches throughout Minnesota.  To learn more about SPIRE, please visit www.myspire.com.