Eastern Kentucky PRIDE, Inc., announced today that $137,450 is available to counties and cities that participate in PRIDE Spring Cleanup Month in April.

“The Spring Cleanup is an annual tradition in our region, with thousands of volunteers taking advantage of the chance to serve their community while getting outside to enjoy April weather and scenery,” said Tammie Wilson of Eastern Kentucky PRIDE, Inc., the nonprofit organization that sponsors Spring Cleanup Month in 42 counties of southern and eastern Kentucky.

“We appreciate the local government officials who lead the Spring Cleanup in their communities, and we’re pleased that PRIDE can support their efforts by offering this funding, as well as providing cleanup supplies and T-shirts for their volunteers,” Wilson said.

“The Spring Cleanup is a great way for officials to promote civic pride, and it’s a cost-effective way to tackle roadside litter, which is one of their top concerns if they want to attract tourists,” Wilson added.

During the Spring Cleanup, local governments recruit volunteers, who pick up litter at no charge. Volunteers receive T-shirts, while supplies last, and may enjoy a meal together or door prizes.

Local governments pay fees to dispose of the litter collected by the volunteers. They also may offer free trash disposal events to encourage citizens to conduct “spring cleaning” on their properties. Local governments also may pay contractors to remove dumps.

PRIDE offers Spring Cleanup funds to offset all those expenses. All local governments in PRIDE’s 42-county service area are eligible for Spring Cleanup funds. The amount available to each county and city is based on its number of road miles. To qualify for its available funds, each local government must attend PRIDE training and comply with funding guidelines.

PRIDE also provides trash bags, gloves, safety vests and T-shirts to local governments to equip their volunteers.

The region-wide 2013 PRIDE Spring Cleanup is made possible in part by a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the following sponsors: Waste Connections of Kentucky (Gold Sponsor), Outdoor Venture Corporation (Silver Sponsor), Walmart (Silver Sponsor), Hacker Brothers, Inc. (Bronze Sponsor), Lightyear Network Solutions (Bronze Sponsor) and Owens Auto & Truck Parts (Bronze Sponsor).

To volunteer to pick up litter during PRIDE Spring Cleanup Month, please call your local PRIDE Coordinator. PRIDE Coordinators’ names and phone numbers are available by calling PRIDE, toll free, at 888-577-4339 or by visiting www.kypride.org/service-area.

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Filed under: Headlines, News, Spring Cleanup