|
|
|
McCreary retains Litter Cup |
|
Written by Greg Bird
|
|
Friday, 10 April 2009 |
Over 350 volunteers from eight counties turned out Saturday for the annual 2009 Spring Cleanup Kickoff at the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.
Over 350 volunteers from eight counties turned out Saturday for the annual 2009 Spring Cleanup Kickoff at the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.
The helpful volunteers gathered together to pick up garbage along the 20-mile stretch of Highway 90, from U.S. 27 in McCreary County to the U.S. 25 junction in Whitley County. Whitley County school busses transported the volunteers along the stretch of road as they did their part to keep Kentucky Beautiful.
McCreary County led the way with 153 registered volunteers, capturing the “Litter Cup” for the second consecutive year. Whitley County registered 129 volunteers. Helping the county pump up its numbers were students from the Pine Knot Job Corps, who received a special award for the largest community group participating. Students from the Beulah Mountain Christian Academy and members of the McCreary County ATV-OHV Club also contributed to the large turnout.
While McCreary County contributed the most volunteers, the Whitley County team collected the most garbage, bringing in 403 bags of trash and 18 tires picked up to McCreary County’s 179 bags.
Representatives from the McCreary County Sheriff’s Department and McCreary County EMS were patrolling the roads during the clean up, protecting the volunteers and providing assistance when needed.
A host of dignitaries, including Senate President David Williams, Representative Charlie Siler and Congressman Hal Rogers’ District Administrator Bob Mitchell helped celebrate Spring Cleanup Month with speeches and handing out prizes at the event.
April is also Redbud month and the 5th and 6th Grade Pine Knot Intermediate School Cheerleaders handed out more than 700 redbud seedlings during the PRIDE event. The seedlings were provided by TOUR Southern and Eastern Kentucky, who has partnered with PRIDE for the month
PRIDE, Personal Responsibility in a Desirable Environment, is one of Congressman Rogers’ signature initiatives, created in 1997 to restore the natural beauty of the region and encouraging citizens to protect their environment.
Spring Cleanup Month will continue this Saturday with Highway 27 as the next target.
Registration will begin at 12:30 at the Pamida building in Whitley City and the cleanup with be held from 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. All volunteers will receive a free hot dog and T-shirt and are eligible to win door prizes.
|
|
