Unsung Heroes: A tribute to the volunteers who transform our community

More Than a Walk in the Park

Every day, Avondale Dance Owner and Director John Glessner takes his dogs, Louis, Leah and Leo, on a walk through Stinson Park. And every day, on that walk, he picks up any litter he spies on the ground.

Glessner said previous cleanup efforts for the area parks in Ortega had been organized by other neighbors, and when those fell by the wayside, he decided since he was already there with his pups, why not do a little cleanup as they walked.

“It’s such as a little diamond for us in the neighborhood,” he said. “I’m not really keen on thinking about all that stuff going into the river or just laying around or blowing around or whatever.”

For Glessner, it’s these small efforts that can make a big impact, and he hopes to lead by example.

“I would hope that if somebody appreciated what I was doing that they either join in and help or pick a park,” he said.

In a world that has infinite ways to help and countless causes that are always seeking aid, Glessner said that while those causes are all certainly worthy, looking for ways to help at home is “an investment in ourselves.”

“You know, it’s our community. It’s our neighborhood,” he said. “I wanted a nice, safe, clean place for myself and the dogs to go walk and you know, other people are benefiting by that. So that’s a great thing. That’s not why I’m doing that. It makes me happy. I’m there anyways, so why not?”