Jackson County wins volunteerism award
March 23, 2016 by clackey
PRIDE President/CEO Tammie Wilson presented the Roadside PRIDE trophy to Jackson County Judge-Executive Shane Gabbard and Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator Jason Thomas.
Jackson County received a trophy for its fall cleanup efforts, just as county officials are beginning to plan the annual PRIDE Spring Cleanup Month, which will be held in April.
Jackson County won the PRIDE trophy for recruiting more volunteers than any other community across 42 counties of southern and eastern Kentucky during Roadside PRIDE Month in October 2015. In Jackson County, 154 volunteers participated in Roadside PRIDE Month.
Across the region, 1,037 volunteers picked up litter during Roadside PRIDE Month. They filled 5,961 bags with trash they collected along 564 miles of roads.
The region-wide Roadside PRIDE campaign encouraged volunteers to pick up litter near their home, church or business during October — a peak time for tourists to enjoy scenic drives to see the region’s colorful fall foliage. PRIDE provided trash bags and gloves to local governments to give to volunteers.
“I congratulate the people of Jackson County on your success last fall, and I want to thank you for making our region’s roads look their best for tourists who wanted to see our colorful leaves, not roadside litter,” said PRIDE’s Tammie Wilson. She presented the trophy March 10 to Jackson County Judge-Executive Shane Gabbard and Jason Thomas, Jackson County Solid Waste and Recycling Coordinator.
“You did such a great job picking up litter last fall, so I am sure you can come together in April to give the countryside an old-fashioned spring cleaning,” Wilson said. “You could win another trophy, but the real prize will be a cleaner community and more tourists.”
“If you get rid of the litter in your favorite spots in April, then you will enjoy them more, and you will make our area more attractive to tourists,” Wilson added.
During the annual PRIDE Spring Cleanup, communities organize cleanup activities and recruit volunteers to remove litter. They receive cleaning supplies from PRIDE, a nonprofit organization that promotes environmental cleanup and education in the region.
To volunteer for the PRIDE Spring Cleanup, please call 888.577.4339.
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