A California Hero Rises From Homelessness His Way

By Chris MacDonald

Todd Olin is a familiar sight, hard at work in his white t-shirt and orange vest, literally cleaning up busy streets in the Southern California. Most motorists and pedestrians think he's just a Public Works employee when they spot him trimming bushes, picking up trash, scrubbing sidewalks and removing graffiti in Venice, Marina Del Rey, Anaheim, Buena Park, Fullerton, Garden Grove and Huntington Beach.

"I've seen this guy in different cities, filling dozens of bags with trash and clippings and wondered what's up?" said Ray Martin of Huntington Beach.

"What's up?" is that Olin, 52, a native of Long Beach, is voluntarily working hard every day to not only beautify SoCal communities but to literally work himself out of homelessness, while inspiring others to do the same.

"I'm hoping to inspire others--here and across the country--to work their way off the streets," said the enthusiastic man, who usually pulls his carts of tools behind his bicycle. He said a couple years ago, he was injured when his motorized bike was hit. This led to the loss of a job and his apartment.

"I ended up on the streets and decided to work myself out of it," he said. "Because of appreciative passersby, I started receiving food, donations, tools, trash bags. But it was sometimes dangerous for people to stop their cars on these busy streets so I set up "Todd the volunteer at GoFundMe.com" (It recently said that Todd has received more than $30,195 from 964 contributors.)

Olin said he now is able to live off the street in motels in the cities where he's working. "I'm glad I'm able to give back to the communities. I get such joy from what I do and hope to continue inspiring others to do the same."

"This guy is absolutely awesome. What a difference he makes! Todd works so hard to beautify our town—along Edwards, Slater, Springdale, Heil, Goldenwest, Warner, Gothard, Edinger and Graham," said Mike Whalen, a retired Los Angeles County Firefighter, who lives in Huntington Beach. "When you see him, thank him and give a donation. The city should give Todd an award!"