Pitch in to clean up your neighborhood, county road, or any public space of your choice from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 30, with the La Porte County Solid Waste District – and get everything you need to do it!
“The unsightly presence of litter in a community has an impact on all residents’ quality of life. Cleaning it up is a fun and easy way to celebrate Earth Day and get involved with community service,” said Alicia Ebaugh, education and public outreach coordinator for the Solid Waste District. “Last year around 400 people participated in more than 30 cleanups countywide, and we’d like to have even more this year.”
Now in its fifth year, Clean It Up Day is put on with help from several government agencies, as well as generous donations from local businesses and the national non-profit group Keep America Beautiful. More than 2.3 million people volunteer each year for KAB’s Great American Cleanup activities in more than 15,000 communities throughout the U.S., participating in cleanup, beautification and community improvement activities.
New this year for volunteers is a fun thank you luncheon to be held at the Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City on April 30 following the cleanups. After their projects are completed, volunteers will receive free admission to the zoo, a free lunch and have the opportunity to participate in animal encounters. An additional thank you luncheon is planned for Rolling Prairie, but volunteers outside of these two areas could have help with their own thank you luncheon if a large enough group is interested.
People and groups who sign up to participate in Clean It Up Day will receive garbage bags to complete their cleanup, and bottled water and snacks to fuel them through their work. The District will have work gloves and visibility vests available to lend to individuals who need them, as well.
All you have to do is choose your own area to clean up, or join one of the cleanups already organized in Michigan City. Cleanups already being organized in Michigan City include Washington Park Zoo and Gardena Park, thanks to Michigan City Common Council members Sharon Carnes and Don Przybylinski, who answered a challenge from the Michigan City Parks and Recreation Department.
The Michigan City Refuse Department, with Refuse Inspector Connie Adams, is picking up all litter collected in Michigan City. The Community Work Program, under the guidance of La Porte County Sheriff's Deputy Bob Blair, will pick up litter collected elsewhere in the county.
The district is also looking for volunteers to take photos of cleanups and help prepare food for the thank you luncheon.
Ebaugh said that many groups in the community have already indicated their interest in the cleanup, including political and religious organizations, school clubs, Girl and Boy Scout troops and families across the county.
“Caring for the environment that surrounds us is everyone’s responsibility, and everyone should get involved,” Ebaugh said.
To sign up or to donate food or materials to this event, contact Alicia Ebaugh at (219) 326-0014 or email her at aebaugh@solidwastedistrict.com.
National sponsors of the 2016 Great American Cleanup include Altria, BNSF Railway, Dow, The Glad Products Company, Lowe’s and Niagara Bottling. Local sponsors include Wana Pizza, Domino’s Pizza, Family Express, Michigan City Fifth Ward Councilperson Sharon Carnes, Overboard at the Marina, Momma Sue’s Cafeteria, Phart’s Phat Macs & Custom Cakes, and AIM Water.