Natalie’s Everyday Heroes: Milwaukee man’s clean-up walks inspire a book

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — Jim Bauernfeind began strolling for train years in the past, however he could not simply stroll previous the entire trash he noticed in his Milwaukee neighborhood. So, for years, he is been selecting it up, and maintaining monitor of what he is discovered.

In truth, Bauernfeind has change into such an knowledgeable, he is written a guide about it, documenting the entire issues he is seen on his “clean-up walks.”

Every stroll is fairly comparable. There is a rhythm and a technique to his walks.

“I realized a very long time in the past that I wasn’t going to have the ability to stroll by the trash that accumulates,” Bauernfeind stated.

His stroll takes him on a two-and-a-half-mile loop close to his Milwaukee residence.  

What began as a option to get train has as a substitute change into one thing of a calling.

“That is my 14th season,” he stated.

That’s 14 years of chip luggage, crushed cans and cigarette butts.

“Oh, hey. This is one,” he exclaimed as he reached to choose it up.

Bauernfeind has an eye fixed for element.  

“You would not consider all of the sorts of issues I preserve monitor of,” he stated.

These cigarette butts? In 2020, he picked up practically 18,000 of them. It is all cataloged in his guide, “Take my Trash, Please.”

“I’ve heard many occasions in my life that everyone has a guide within them, simply ready to be written,” he stated.

So, throughout the pandemic, he put his to paper.

“Nicely, I divide the guide into 6 chapters, who, what, when, the place, why and the way. The journalistic questions,” he defined.

The “What” chapter yields some fascinating finds.

“One time I discovered 14 rolls of bathroom paper sitting alongside the aspect of the highway stacked up in three or 4 stacks,” he stated. “One other time, I discovered 5 unfrozen, frozen pizzas.”

His brother, Invoice Bauernfeind, served as his editor.

“I am simply actually proud,” Invoice stated. “Every little thing has handed via me on to Jim!”

Brotherly joking apart, Invoice is impressed along with his brother’s efforts.

“I am simply so glad he is getting this recognition, as a result of he deserves it,” Invoice stated.

However what you do not see when Jim is out on the aspect of the highway, is the entire different volunteer work he does.

“At present I am doing 8 totally different volunteer issues,” he stated. “I am going to Versiti and assist with emergency blood deliveries. On Monday mornings, I am going to church and I vacuum the sanctuary.”

After which there’s Monday afternoons.

“I am going to St. Joe’s Hospital and I maintain infants. Fussy infants. Within the NICU unit,” he defined. “As a result of I’ve by no means been married and do not have youngsters, I’ve directed these emotions towards others.”

Wherever he goes, Bauernfeind’s efforts add up.

“I’ve picked up 645 luggage of this measurement,” he stated, unfurling a rubbish bag.

With every step, one other piece of trash is added to the tally. The neighborhood somewhat cleaner, and his world, a greater place.

“I’ve a coronary heart to serve others and I simply felt that was a means that I might serve the neighborhood,” he stated.

If you would like to appoint an On a regular basis Hero, ship Natalie a message at NShepherd@cbs58.com.