On Saturday, April 28, volunteers of all ages are invited to join the annual PRIDE Spring Cleanup at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.

Since the first event in 2008, the Cumberland Falls Spring Cleanup has mobilized 3,443 volunteers to pick up roadside litter near this popular attraction before tourist season each year.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the entire community to come together to help steward and care for this unprecedented natural resource,” said Joe Mounce, Park Ranger, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. “Join us this year and be a part of the team!”

Volunteer registration will begin at 9 a.m. at the gift shop beside Cumberland Falls. Volunteer groups with children will be directed to age-appropriate cleanup areas.

All volunteers should dress appropriately for working outdoors in the weather that morning. Sturdy shoes are recommended. PRIDE will provide disposable gloves and safety vests.

From 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. ET, volunteers will pick up litter along Hwy. 90 and other roads near the park.

All volunteers will receive a free lunch, and they will be entered in a drawing for door prizes. Free T-shirts will be given to volunteers, while supplies last.

The Volunteer Cup trophy will be presented to the county with the most volunteers participating. With its win in 2017, McCreary County has claimed the Volunteer Cup five times since the annual event began. Whitley County has won the cup four times.

Awards will be given to the school group and community group that bring the most volunteers. In 2017, those winners were the Pine Knot Job Corp and McCreary County ATV Club.

“There is still time to support the event by making donations toward the lunch and door prizes, which reward our hard-working volunteers,” said Tammie Wilson, PRIDE President/CEO. “All donors will be recognized at the event, so this will be a good opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to community service.”

The event is a partnership among PRIDE, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, McCreary County Fiscal Court 109 Board, Whitley County Fiscal Court, US Forest Service, McCreary County Extension Service, McCreary County Board of Education, Whitley County School System and Pine Knot Job Corp.

This event is part of the PRIDE Spring Cleanup campaign across 42 counties of southern and eastern Kentucky. The region-wide PRIDE Spring Cleanup is sponsored by Walmart, Touchstone Energy Cooperative, Outdoor Venture Corp., and Kentucky American Water.

For more information, please call the PRIDE office, toll free, at 888-577-4339. To invite friends to volunteer, look for the Cumberland Falls Spring Cleanup event on Facebook.

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Filed under: Headlines, Spring Cleanup