The 2014 Great American Cleanup is under way in Liberty County.
Keep America Beautiful has launched the 16th annual Great American Cleanup, which is the country’s largest community-improvement program. It kicks off each spring and engages more than 4 million volunteers in more than 20,000 communities. In Liberty County, we participate in this national effort because we know how important a clean community is for our quality of life.
Across America, communities like ours will recruit volunteers to engage in litter cleanups, to beautify parks, trails and recreation areas, clean shorelines and waterways, reduce waste and increase recycling, remove litter and debris, plant trees and neighborhood gardens, and community-improvement projects.
Volunteer efforts can have a powerful effect on our community.
“We help to create communities that are socially connected, environmentally healthy and economically sound,” said Jennifer M. Jehn, new KAB president and CEO. “During the Great American Cleanup, our volunteers’ work returns on average $175 million in measurable benefits annually across the communities we serve.”
Locally, more than 100 businesses, cities, churches, civic organizations, schools and youth groups partner with KLB to make our community cleaner and more attractive.
This weekend, the cities of Midway, Walthourville and Allenhurst implemented the first citywide cleanups for 2014. On March 29, city cleanups will continue in Riceboro and Gum Branch and on the east end of Liberty County. Already, a number of local groups, schools and organizations have held cleanups as well. If you cannot participate in a citywide cleanup, we can help you schedule a neighborhood or group cleanup on a day that works for you.
KLB provides all the cleanup supplies (garbage bags, safety vests, work gloves and even litter reachers), water and arrangements for cleanup locations. Local cities (with the help of Canoochee EMC in Gum Branch and SNF in Riceboro) provide picnics after the cleanups for volunteers in appreciation of their efforts. We sincerely appreciate these groups for supporting these cleanup events.
Picking up the litter is important, but the powerful statement local citizens make by participating in these efforts is even more valuable. It makes it clear to other citizens that litter is not acceptable. That message will mean more to someone who litters than any “Do Not Litter” sign ever will.
So join us in making a statement about who we are as a community. To register of these upcoming cleanups or city cleanups in April, call Keep Liberty Beautiful at 880-4888 or email klcb@coastalnow.net. All registered volunteers will receive official Great American Cleanup shirts.  Make a difference where you live and work. Volunteer today!

Win-dex Awards
There is about one week to turn in nominations for worthy businesses for the quarterly Win-dex Awards. Nomination forms by calling us at 880-4888 or emailing klcb@coastalnow.net, or by calling the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce at 368-4445. Your vote counts!  We will accept nominations through March 31. Awards will be announced in mid-April at the chamber’s next Progress through People Luncheon.