Keep Covington/Newton Beautiful (KCNB) needs volunteers to clean up roadside litter March 24 during the Great American Cleanup, the nation's largest annual community improvement program. KCNB's event will be at 9 a.m. at Longhorn Steakhouse.
KCNB will provide volunteers with breakfast, T-shirts (while supplies last), garbage bags and safety vests.
Volunteers for the Great American Cleanup can print out forms by going to www.kcnb.biz and fax completed forms to (770) 784-2082. Registration is requested by March 15 to reserve T-shirts, but KCNB will take forms up to the event date. If volunteers are unavailable to work on Saturday, March 24, they may participate on another date of their choice.
"The Great American Cleanup offers an opportunity to bring awareness to the litter problem, while also working toward a solution. When people work together to clean up our community, they build more pride in it" said Laurie Riley, KCNB director. "This year, we are starting a monthly Front Door Litter Challenge, asking people to commit to clean up all the litter they can see when they look out of the front doors of their homes and businesses. Volunteers will start on the day of the Great American Cleanup, and every month on the 24th.
If people take responsibility for litter along the roadways in front of their property, officials hope roadside litter will no longer be a problem. While property owners do not create the litter, removing it is shown to be an effective strategy in preventing more litter, Riley said. KCNB will provide trash bags, gloves and vests upon request for anyone who participates in the Challenge.
Litter costs communities. According to research done through Keep America Beautiful (KAB), litter cleanup efforts cost the U.S. nearly $11.5 billion each year. In addition, KAB's research indicates that litter affects communities' quality of life.
"The presence of litter in a community takes a toll on quality of life, property values and housing prices. KAB's 2009 National Visible Litter Survey and Litter Cost Study found that litter in a community decreases property values by 7 percent," according to the research.
KCNB encourages individuals, families, civic clubs, businesses, churches, neighborhoods, schools and other groups to organize volunteers for projects at their individual sites and along local roadways. Suggested activities include litter pickup, painting and repairing houses and other buildings, planting flowers and trees, starting recycling programs, and holding litter-free events.
For more information, visit KCNB's website: www.kcnb.biz, send email to newtonclean@co.newton.ga.us, or call (770) 784-2015.
