The annual Great American Cleanup has begun. GAC was started in 1999 by Keep America Beautiful.

Each year millions of Georgians and others across the nation improve their communities by picking up litter in parks, waterways and road; planting trees and flowers; painting over graffiti; repairing buildings; and holding recycling drives and environmental education events. On the first two weekends this month, Girl Scouts, the Mission Possible group, geocachers and 62 lively local Armstrong students have  cleaned streets, highways, greenspaces, and even planted two gardens in Hinesville.

They really got things going. But we still have plenty of projects for environmental superheroes. Two citywide cleanups are scheduled next Saturday. Interested volunteers in Gum Branch and Midway can join us to spruce up these cities.

We also have dates set for other cleanups:

April 9, East End/Geocache Kickoff

April 9, Riceboro

April 9, Flemington

April 16, Hinesville

April 30, Walthourville

April 30, Allenhurst

May 7, Woodland Lakes

Don’t be alarmed if your neighborhood is not listed or you can’t make a date designated. We can set up cleanups for neighborhoods, schools, organizations or businesses wherever and whenever.

We have numerous Adopt Liberty groups working on certain days in more than 40 locations. Superheroes, like you, are needed to fight litter everywhere.

We can provide supplies, including litter reachers, gloves, garbage bags, safety vests and water. At each citywide cleanup, the cities and sponsors provide a picnic after the cleanups. We also show our appreciation to volunteers with superhero T-shirt.

Besides cleaning areas, the events reminds your neighbors, who might be unwitting litterers, that you don’t want that litter on the road.

To volunteer, contact Keep Liberty Beautiful at 880 4888 or email us at keeplibertycountybeautiful@gmail.com or check out KLB programs on www.keeplibertybeautiful.org.  Together we can stop litter in its tracks this spring!

Swida is the director of Keep Liberty Beautiful.