Vicki Short began picking up trash during the COVID-19 pandemic. For her, it was a way to get out, exercise and leave a positive impact on the community amid social distancing and isolation. Even after restrictions were lifted and risk of infection tapered off, she continued to pick up litter for the next five years. In June 2024, she founded Don’t Dirty the Dale, a one-woman operation to help get Carbondale involved in its beautification.
Don’t Dirty the Dale is a volunteer operation focused on anti-littering and general beautification of Carbondale. Organizations will partner with Short to pick up and dispose of trash around the city. Since the group’s formation in 2024, Short and her volunteers have picked up over 1,500 pounds of litter across Carbondale.
Advertisement
“I definitely think that we’re making a big impact in the community,” Short said. “Clearly you can see areas where we’ve had participants out picking up litter, and we hear from other business owners and other community members and students that have just shared that they’ve noticed a difference.”
Don’t Dirty the Dale receives significant community support from local businesses and organizations as well as SIU student groups and Greek organizations. Businesses such as Carbondeli’s and the Kroger Starbucks regularly donate manpower to cleanup efforts. Carbondeli’s owner Alexander Schmidgall and Pinch Penny Liquors owner Gregg Karayiannis are frequent supporters and volunteers with Short. Other businesses help in other ways, such as Newby’s Pizza and Pagliai’s, who regularly supply volunteer groups with complimentary pizzas.
Last weekend on Friday, Oct. 10-11, the Student Alumni Council and Phi Beta Sigma members each donated time to clean up the areas around Shawnee Health and Illinois Avenue respectively.
Advertisement*
“They’re great people, and they’re standing up for something that I think is awesome,” Student Alumni Council president Sydney Bailey said. “Who wouldn’t want to keep our community clean? And that overall keeps it a welcoming environment.”
According to Bailey, last weekend was between her 10th and 15th time volunteering with Don’t Dirty the Dale. One standout volunteer group according to Short was the SIU Women’s Basketball team and Coach Kelly Bond-White, who picked up over 250 pounds of litter while volunteering on College Street.
“It was 3 o’clock on a hot afternoon, but those young ladies really got out there and made a big impact,” Short said. “Coach Bond-White was out there as well, and it’s really impressive that someone would make a point to meet me and other volunteers on their day off or maybe before they’re headed to work.”
Don’t Dirty the Dale has partnered with other groups to beautify Carbondale. Most recently, Short partnered with Hawthorne Art LLC, an art firm founded by SIU alumnus Brook Yandle, commissioning a mural for the fence outside of Joyce Lee Outdoor Equipment, another supporter of Short’s organization.
“Before the mural was put up, it was just an old fence in need of some attention,” Short said. “I thought, ‘It’s the perfect space not only for freshening up, but for a positive message that others in the community can see.’”
News reporter Morrigan Carey can be reached at [email protected]. To stay up to date with all your southern Illinois news, follow the Daily Egyptian on Facebook and Twitter.
Advertisement
