Community Corner

A Helping Hand

Two neighborhood boys relish the opportunity to interact with Streets Department workers.

As the city recycling truck pulled up to the curb on the 300 block of Highland Avenue, something seemed out of place.

Upon closer inspection, it was revealed that two reflective-vest-wearing participants were not Streets Department employees, but rather toddlers.

For some time now, 2-year-olds Iain McEwen and Jake Fles have been suiting up on trash day. They meet Streets Department workers Jeffrey Curry, Rod McCombs and Fareed Mizelle as the three come around the block to pick up the week's recyclables.

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The interaction, which has become somewhat of a ritual, seems to please all involved.

"Look at the smile on their faces. It makes me appreciate my job so much better," McCombs said Friday morning during one of the crew's weekly meetups with the two little ones.

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For Wendy McEwen, the beauty of the story is the friendship that has blossomed between her young son and Fles, whose grandparents, Bob and Joyce Fles, live on the same block as the McEwen's.

"He formed this friendship with Jake through the trash," Wendy said while watching the youngsters haul recyclables to the trash on a windy Friday morning.

Also standing nearby were Bob and Joyce Fles, whose grandson lives in Mount Airy with his parents, Tim and Meg Fles. Tim Fles is Bob and Joyce's son.

"They love the backup beeping [noise]," Bob Fles said with a smile.

Curry, the driver of the truck, said interacting with the two kids is the highlight of his week. His two coworkers seemed to agree.

As the two laborers, Mizelle and McCombs are the ones hopping off the truck and hauling the recycle bins over from the curb.

On Friday, Fles and McEwen were observed giving the guys a hand. They seemed to relish the opportunity to lend some assistance.

At one point, Curry lifted the two into the air, helping the youngsters throw the recyclables into the back of the truck.

The ritual doesn't typically stop in front of the McEwen's home on Highland Avenue. The boys usually chase after the truck for a little while, until they get tired, or in this case, cold.

"Those guys follow us for three, four blocks," an amused Mizelle said.

Joyce Fles said the boys' friendship has also meant a newfound friendship between herself and Wendy McEwen.

As for the miniature green reflective vests, neighbor Bob Smith gifted them to the boys. He special ordered them online.

"Believe it or not, we can't wait to get up here," McCombs said, explaining how he loves interacting with the boys.

Wendy McEwen said the act has been beneficial for another reason.

"I don't think you guys get the credit that you should," she said to the three workers.

To witness the interaction between the boys and the three city workers, check out our accompanying video. 


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