The Manitoba woman who takes daily trips to collect garbage
One woman has taken it upon herself to ensure the streets of Brandon, Man., are clean and welcoming for all residents and visitors.
Gisele Charette has been going out every morning and collecting garbage in the Brandon area, including in the bushes of the North Hill, along parts of Braecrest Drive and the Trans-Canada Highway.
Depending on the weather, Charette travels on foot or on her bike for four to five hours a day.
“It’s kind of the welcome mat to Brandon when you come in from the Trans-Canada,” she said.
“If it doesn’t look good, I don’t think people will turn in and stay for a while. Now it looks good and I think people feel safer when it’s clean.”
Charette said she was motivated to take on this initiative by her desire to take care of the community.
“I come from a farming background and my mom and dad are just active in taking care of things like picking up garbage around the farm and things like that,” she said.
“It was just a normal thing. There was lots to be had. It was bad to look at, that’s why I started.”
Charette notes that she bags the garbage, which is then picked up by Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure.
HOW DID SHE GET STARTED?
This initiative is something Charette has been doing for many years.
She moved to Brandon in 2005, and would bike to neighbouring towns to collect the garbage.
Charette then started to notice she was picking up a lot of beer cans and beer bottles and began to keep track.
“From 2015 to 2018, that was four years, I had 34,327 beer cans and 828 beer bottles,” she said.
Charette added she has also found some unexpected items including dentures, shopping carts, and a fish with the hook still attached to its mouth.
THE RESPONSE
The community is thankful for Charette’s initiative.
She said every few days someone will come up and thank her or give her words of praise. Some people have even offered her gift cards or to buy her lunch.
“Such nice comments,” Charette said.
“Everyone is so happy. They’re just so happy. If everybody pitches in, we’re going to have a really good-looking town here.”
Charette added that words of gratitude have a deep and long-lasting impact on her, and give her motivation.
“I just value what people say when they say, ‘thank you,’” she said.
“They honk their horn or they give a wave.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.