Take ACTion Helps Clean
Lake Balboa
In the summer of 2021, members of Take ACTion teamed up with an incredible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, striving towards an incredible cause! This company is none other than "OVERDUE," run by Maxwell (Max) Suwaki. He describes his organization as a collective of individuals who pick up trash together to make their communities cleaner, greener and friendlier.
Max's idea for this group sparked while walking his dog, Leon, in the streets of Portland. Leon almost stepped on a very sharp needle. This incident made Max realize how his community wasn’t properly cared for. Because of this, Max took matters into his own hands. He got his roommates involved by making sure they brought trash bags whenever they took walks outside with Leon. Soon after, they posted a picture on NextDoor, informing others about these mini cleanups. Immediately, people were wanting in on the action of making their neighborhoods a better place to live in. Ever since that day, Max has been able to establish daily cleanups in California, specifically Canoga Park, Woodland Hills, and West Hills. There are also clean ups held in Ohio and Washington, and so many more locations to come.
When TakeACTion heard of this organization, we instantly wanted to help. We took it upon ourselves to email when and where their next clean up was, so we could tag along! Once we received a date and time, we gathered at Lake Balboa Park and got to work! If you too would like to join a cleanup, or host your own cleanups with them, make sure to sign up to the newsletter or email, at www.itisoverdue.com!
Max's idea for this group sparked while walking his dog, Leon, in the streets of Portland. Leon almost stepped on a very sharp needle. This incident made Max realize how his community wasn’t properly cared for. Because of this, Max took matters into his own hands. He got his roommates involved by making sure they brought trash bags whenever they took walks outside with Leon. Soon after, they posted a picture on NextDoor, informing others about these mini cleanups. Immediately, people were wanting in on the action of making their neighborhoods a better place to live in. Ever since that day, Max has been able to establish daily cleanups in California, specifically Canoga Park, Woodland Hills, and West Hills. There are also clean ups held in Ohio and Washington, and so many more locations to come.
When TakeACTion heard of this organization, we instantly wanted to help. We took it upon ourselves to email when and where their next clean up was, so we could tag along! Once we received a date and time, we gathered at Lake Balboa Park and got to work! If you too would like to join a cleanup, or host your own cleanups with them, make sure to sign up to the newsletter or email, at www.itisoverdue.com!
Ever since October of 2020, “OVERDUE” has collected over 30,000 lbs of trash. If we want this number to grow, Max needs your help! If you are interested in being a part of a cleanup or want to learn more about this amazing organization, please reach out via @itisoverdue on their Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok. You can also email [email protected] with any questions or inquiries. There is a donations page on www.itisoverdue.com where you can donate money to help further their growth.
Max is also looking for leaders that can host monthly cleanups in their communities!
HELP MAKE A CHANGE!!
Max is also looking for leaders that can host monthly cleanups in their communities!
HELP MAKE A CHANGE!!
An Interview With Max
After a recent cleanup, we got the opportunity to ask Max some questions about the company, his personal background, and more! Here are some of his answers.
Take ACTion: What makes you so passionate about what you do? Max: I truly believe that more young people need to get out and lead the community by example. Take ACTion: What do you do when you're not at these clean ups? Max: I am a business consultant. Take ACTion: What's the most interesting thing someone has found? Max: We pulled a whole shopping cart and a mattress that were embedded in a tree in the LA River. Take ACTion: What's the most common piece of trash? Max: Wipes, cigarettes, tissue |
Take ACTion: Do you see yourself cleaning with It Is Overdue for the rest of your life? Where do you hope this organization is headed in the next 5 years or long term future? Max: Absolutely! It’s my lifetime mission and will be going global in 5 years! Take ACTion: You clean trash every single day. What keeps you motivated to do this every day? Max: Starting a day cleaning up the community is so calming and fun! Also, I walk my dog anyway, so I don’t have any excuse! |
Take ACTion: Do you have any crazy stories from clean ups? Max: LA River at Lake Balboa was clogged by all the plastic pollution and we restored the area by constantly coming back for 12 weeks straight. The trees were all covered with plastic pieces. The most trash collected in an hour was 750 lbs. Now we see water getting clearer and doesn’t smell as bad. Now we see ducks and turtles that came back to the river and nature is calming back. We literally restored a whole area! So crazy! Take ACTion: What do you feel people should know? Max: Cleanups could be fun! Caring is cool :) |