Dive Brief:

• Ethan Dean, 6, has cystic fibrosis but has always dreamed of being a garbage man. The Make-A-Wish Foundation has partnered with Randle Communications and Waste Management to make that a reality.

• Today, Ethan will be surprised with the chance to ride along on a special route in downtown Sacramento, CA. He'll start at the Sacramento Bee at 10:25 a.m. PST and end at the State Capitol building for a special press conference at noon.
• Organizers are asking people to spread the word on social media using #EthanCleansUp and to come cheer for him along the route. 

Dive Insight:

Many little kids love watching garbage trucks, therefore getting to meet the people who work on them—let alone help out on a collection route—is a very exciting opportunity. As is often the case, the driver involved in this event is excited to meet Ethan, too. KXTV reported that Ethan will be riding with Sam Turman of Waste Management, who has been on the job for 35 years.

Waste Management told Waste Dive that this is the first time they've partnered with Make-A-Wish Northeastern California and Northern Nevada and they hope to do so again.

"Agreeing to help Make-A-Wish turn Ethan’s dream into reality was the easiest decision Waste Management has ever made. It’s a privilege to partner with a group like Make-A-Wish and an absolute honor to grant Ethan’s wish to be a garbage man for a day," said Barry Skolnick, area vice president for the company's Northern California-Nevada operations. "None of us will forget the look on Ethan’s face when he sees his name on our CNG truck and realizes for the first time his wish has come true."

Waste Management also plans to broadcast portions of the event live starting at 9 a.m. PST via Twitter and Periscope.