Keep Covington/Newton Beautiful (KCNB) needs volunteers to clean up litter and complete beautification projects during the Great American Cleanup, the nation’s largest annual community improvement program. KCNB’s kickoff events will be held on Saturday, March 27, at two area Kroger locations.
Kroger on U.S. Highway 278 and Kroger on Salem Road will host kickoff events starting at 8 a.m. Kroger, a valued KCNB partner, will provide breakfast to volunteers. KCNB will provide volunteers with t-shirts (while supplies last), garbage bags and safety vests.
Volunteers for the Great American Cleanup can sign up at www.disneyparks.com to get free Disney tickets. Hands on Newton is collaborating with KCNB to offer this opportunity for volunteers.
KCNB measures litter on local roads each year. For each of the last seven years, litter has been steadily decreasing in Newton County. However, this year, litter increased.
Due to severe budget cuts in the recent economy, government agencies are unable to provide all the resources needed to combat the problem. KCNB is working to revitalize the Adopt-a-Mile program to encourage everyone to take responsibility for cleaning up our community.
KCNB is asking for help from everyone to fight the local litter problem. KCNB encourages civic clubs and business, church, neighborhood, and school 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.
Paint is available to local citizens and organizations free of charge. The recycled paint (received from citizens who participate in monthly paint recycling events) is available in gray.
Great American Cleanup registration forms are available from KCNB for groups with planned projects. Individual volunteers or groups without planned projects can show up at one of the kickoff sites to receive a project assignment. If volunteers are unavailable to work on Saturday, March 27, they may participate on another date.
Groups that commit to clean up four times per year along one mile of road, street, or highway get a sign — free advertising — erected recognizing their efforts.
If neighborhoods need help, KCNB offers a Neighborhood Cleanup program. KCNB brings government agencies and neighborhoods together, planning meetings and coordinating services to help neighbors work together to clean up their communities.
If citizens need help improving the entrances to subdivisions, schools, churches, organizations, or towns, KCNB offers GREATways Grants that can help provide funding for signage and plant materials.
Local sponsors of these and all 2010 KCNB programs and events are: The Covington News, Home Depot, Newton County Water & Sewerage Authority, Current Events Productions, United Bank, Ballard, Stephenson, & Waters, BB&T, Capes Property Management, Copy Central, Georgia Power, Longhorn Steakhouse of Covington, Newton Federal Bank, Newton Package Shop, OHCO, Pactiv, Taste of Newton and Satsuki Garden Club.
The National Sponsors of the 2010 Great American Cleanup are: The Dow Chemical Company; The Glad Products Company; Nestlé Pure Life Purified Water; o.b. tampons; Pepsi-Cola Company; The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company; Solo Cup Company; Troy-Bilt Lawn and Garden Equipment; Waste Management, Inc.; Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co.; Promotional Partners: Crescent Art and Framing Products and Get Green Racing; and Educational Partner: Rubber Manufacturers Association. State Sponsors include Keep Georgia Beautiful, Cross Town Realty, Georgia Power and the Organic Renewable Energy Organization.
For more information about any of these programs or to sign up, visit KCNB’s Web site at www.kcnb.biz or call (770) 784-2015 or send an e-mail to newtonclean@co.newton.ga.us.
