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Preorder your copy of I'm Cool Too

I’m Cool Too, written by Terrill Haigler and illustrated by Deborah Tyson, is a children’s book about the importance of sanitation workers. For every book sold, $5 will go to the Philadelphia School System. Help reach Ya Fav Trashman’s goal of 200,000 copies sold by preordering hereThe expected ship date is June 30, 2022.

Remember to follow Ya Fav Trashman on Instagram for events and a chance to score 25 free copies of I’m Cool Too for your favorite school!

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What's the big deal with litter, anyway?

Litter is everyone’s problem, and everyone can pitch in to solve it!

This article from Sciencing about litter will help you understand the impact of trash when it doesn’t end up in a trash can. 

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection wants you to Be Anti-litter! Read up on ways to be anti-litter at home and in your community, and check out the PA DEP’s helpful video. 

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We hope to do that in our Good Citizenship Toolkit, which includes a host of ways to get involved in Philadelphia—whether you want to organize a street cleanup in your neighborhood, get those experiencing homelessness the goods they need, or simply go out to dinner somewhere where you know your money is going toward a greater good.

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Guest Commentary: Ya Fav Trashman’s (New) Big Idea

The anti-litter evangelist plans to donate a big portion of sales of his new children’s book to schools — in a very Ya Fav way

Guest Commentary: Ya Fav Trashman’s (New) Big Idea

The anti-litter evangelist plans to donate a big portion of sales of his new children’s book to schools — in a very Ya Fav way

Out in the world, people know me as Ya Fav Trashman and Terrill. But at home, around my three kids (ages 5, 9 and 10), I’m Dad.

The other day, I was picking up my 10-year-old from school when I witnessed a scene. That scene starred my daughter. As she and her friend walked away from the school building and toward me, I noticed her friend toss a wrapper on the sidewalk. I then noticed my daughter lose her … Let’s just say, my little girl snapped out.

“Do you know who my dad is?!?!” was one of the things she shouted that I was more proud of.

Littering starts with kids. They see trash on the streets. They do not see enough trash cans. They do see adults and teens litter. So, kids litter too.

I plan to distribute the money I raise not in one big check to the PSD — but by bringing individual donations to each of Philly’s 215 schools, one by one, as part of my fall book tour.

Littering becomes a truly bad habit that contributes to bringing down neighborhoods and communities. It’s a vicious cycle.

I, Ya Fav Trashman, Terrilll, Dad, plan to stop that cycle. I’m going to do it with a children’s book, a book tour and a fundraising campaign for the School District of Philadelphia that will raise awareness about caring for our city. Here’s how:

My new children’s book, I’m Cool Too, comes out in late June. Right now, it’s being pre-sold online, for $20 a book. So far, I’ve sold 395 of them.

The cover of "I'm Cool Too," a children's book by Terrill "Ya Fav Trashman" Haigler, illustrated by Deborah Tyson.

Starting right now, I will donate $5 of every copy sold to the Philly School District. My goal is to raise $1,000,000 for the students of Philadelphia. In order to hit that goal, I must sell 200,000 books. If you know me, you know I’m a confident guy. I believe I can reach the goal by my birthday, September 3. (I’m also challenging 100 local businesses to each buy 100 copies of the book.)

What’s more, I plan to distribute the money I raise not in one big check to the School District — but by bringing individual donations to each of Philly’s 215 schools, one by one, as part of my fall book tour. (If you’re doing the math, this means I’ll be giving $4,651 to each school.) I want to ensure each school gets to use the funds as they see fit — and I want every kid in Philly to have a chance to meet Ya Fav Trashman and learn it’s cool to keep our neighborhoods clean.

Follow me on Instagram to find out what parks I’ll bring I’m Cool Too for pop-up story times this summer. While you’re there, tag your fave school, and I’ll pick one to receive 25 free copies of I’m Cool Too.


Terrill Haigler, Ya Fav Trashman, is a former Philly sanitation worker with a serious gift for organizing and employing social media and direct action to mobilize an impactful movement to clean up our city. As a change-maker dedicated to making Philadelphia the best version of itself, Haigler is also a member of “Generation Change Philly,” a partnership between The Philadelphia Citizen and the nonprofit Keepers of the Commons.

The Citizen welcomes guest commentary from community members who stipulate to the best of their ability that it is fact-based and non-defamatory.

MORE ON KIDS, YA FAV AND POSITIVE CHANGE FROM THE CITIZEN

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How Philly Sees Philly: Parents Want Better Schools

Introducing … Generation Change Philly

Generation Change Philly: The Cleaner-Upper

 

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