Donnalee Hylton has the right tools to keep The Strip clean (Photos by Chad Mantooth)
DARCY BASS | Dallas Voice Intern
Editor@DallasVoice.com
Superheroes are often recognized by their symbolic outfits: Batman, of course, has his skintight grey-and-black suit, and there’s Wonder Woman, in her star-spangled hot pants.
Then there’s Donnalee Hylton — in her green neon vest.
On Wednesday, May 28, the Cedar Springs Merchant’s Association shared an announcement on its Facebook page: Sporting a Cedar Springs badge and a pearly-white smile, Donnalee Hylton posed for a photo as she was welcomed to the CSMA team.
For CSMA President Kevin Miller, this Facebook post was the equivalent of Marvel launching its newest superhero story. In its 30 years of existence, this is the first time that CSMA has created a specific role catered to the upkeep of The Strip.
And Donnalee has an agenda: maintaining the beauty of this road that runs through the heart of the Oak Lawn Gayborhood.
“It was getting pretty rough out there,” Miller said. “Our mission for CSMA is to support this community and listen to what we can do to make it better and keep it safe.”
Although CSMA board members aren’t afraid to pick up a broom and clean up litter around
The Strip, the area was yearning for a true cleanup hero. That’s where Donnalee comes in. Now she is saving The Strip from its fate, one day at a time, the way Superman wishes he could have saved Krypton.
Donnalee, born and raised in Jamaica, made her way to Dallas in 2009. She’s moved out of the city about three times, but she always finds her way back. Before CSMA, Donnalee worked for Jani King Cleaning Services.
CSMA was looking for someone who aligned with the overall morale and energy of The Strip, someone who was motivated to pursue the organization’s goals for consistent maintenance of the area.
“The first time we walked the street, she was already giving us suggestions on how to make the area look clean,” CSMA Vice President Jason Preston said. “She started picking things up, and we told her ‘Hold on, we’ll get you a cart and everything.’
“She really made an impact right out from her initial visit.”
Donnalee said her priority now is to get a handle on cleaning up the cigarette butts around The Strip as well as picking up other litter in the area. “There’s so many [cigarette butts] in the little curves and corners” of the street, she said.
Donnalee works every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and she strives to accomplish as much trash pickup as possible within those three days. She’s found support within the CSMA community, as businesses along The Strip are providing her refreshments as she works outside in the Texas heat.
“It’s hot as hell out there, but I enjoy myself,” Donnalee said. “There are a couple places that invite me in to have a drink or something to eat, and the people are just so nice.
“I enjoy it.”
Other than the merchants, patrons of The Strip have welcomed Donnalee into the community. People honk their horns and wave at Donnalee as they drive by and see her out there, taking care of The Strip in her green neon vest.