On Tuesday, April 16, volunteers will team up to pick up roadside litter during the fifth annual PRIDE Clean Sweep of US 27.

All volunteers will enjoy a free lunch and chance at door prizes. Free T-shirts also will be given to volunteers, while supplies last.

The PRIDE Clean Sweep will focus on US 27 through Somerset and Burnside, but volunteers may clean areas nearby. Safe, age-appropriate areas will be provided for groups with children.

Volunteers can pick up litter any time they choose between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

At Noon, all volunteers are invited to The Center for Rural Development for a free cook-out and drawing for door prizes.

“Clean roads make a good first impression on visitors, and they make our drives around town more enjoyable, too,” said Lonnie Lawson, president and CEO of The Center for Rural Development, a Clean Sweep partner. “The Center staff members are proud to support the Clean Sweep by hosting the volunteer lunch and by volunteering to pick up litter. I invite other businesses and organizations to join us.”

“A clean, inviting community is always important, but even more so this year since we expect more visitors due to the water level rising in Lake Cumberland,” said Carolyn Mounce, Executive Director of the Somerset-Pulaski County Convention and Visitors Bureau, which is a sponsor of the Clean Sweep.

“People have told us that they visited other lakes in recent years, but they will be back at Lake Cumberland this year,” Mounce said. “We need volunteers out there making us a shining example of what a community should look like with absolutely no litter on our roadsides.”

“The beauty of Pulaski County is well known throughout Kentucky,” said Bobby Clue, Executive Director of the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce, a Clean Sweep partner. “By participating in the Highway 27 Clean Sweep, businesses have the opportunity to demonstrate personal responsibility by volunteering to pick up litter along roadsides and local tourist attractions.”

“The best reward is seeing less trash on 27 and knowing that you were a part of that,” said Tammie Wilson of PRIDE, one of the agencies that partners to host the Clean Sweep.

“This event is a fun way to make a big difference, so it has become very popular with businesses, schools and other volunteer groups,” Wilson added. “Last year, 862 volunteers joined the Clean Sweep, making it the largest PRIDE Spring Cleanup event across southern and eastern Kentucky.”

Volunteers may register and receive their cleanup supplies starting at 8 a.m. on April 16 at The Center for Rural Development, which is located at Traffic Light #15.

Volunteer groups are encouraged to register before April 16. By doing so, they can reserve the section of US 27 they want to clean and receive their trash bags, gloves and safety vests early.

To register, please call the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce at 679-7323.

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Filed under: News, Spring Cleanup