Bed-Stuy foot soldiers step up for community after winter storm
The Brooklyn-based, community-driven cleanup crew has been keeping neighborhoods clean and passable for more than a decade.
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With snow piled high after New York City’s latest winter storm, some Brooklyn residents are making the most of it - turning neighborhood hills into makeshift sledding slopes.
“We’re gonna head to Fort Greene Park to go sledding,” said resident Alyssa, embracing the winter weather.
But for others, the storm has been far less playful. Across the borough, residents are still digging their cars out from beneath heavy snowbanks and icy slush.
“Yeah, it’s not fun,” said Jenn Filip as she shoveled around her vehicle. “I had to shovel just to get this out of my car.”
That’s where the Foot Soldiers step in.
The Brooklyn-based, community-driven cleanup crew has been keeping neighborhoods clean and passable for more than a decade. After this storm, one of the heaviest many have seen, they were back on the ground, clearing snow-packed steps and slick sidewalks for those who need it most.
“This is the first snowstorm I’ve done that’s been this bad - about nine to twelve inches,” said Kevin Robinson, lead technician with the Foot Soldiers. “But we help out people in need.”
The team focuses on assisting seniors and neighbors with mobility challenges, helping reduce the risk of falls, injuries, and even city violations.
“This protects them from getting any tickets. It protects them from endangering themselves and others,” said Takia Graves, the organization’s logistics and operations chief. “This is how we give back and support our community.”
For Eric Nathaniel, the Foot Soldiers arrived just in time.
“I was winded, felt lightheaded, had to go inside and sit down,” he said. “They were here in the community, and since I’ve had them, it’s been a blessing.”
And even with snow still knee-deep in some areas, the Foot Soldiers say they’re ready to take on whatever’s next and continue their work for another 10 years.
