VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
The Great American Clean-Up will be held here Saturday, April 21
Area residents are rallying around efforts to clean area roadsides of trash.
Each year, as part of the Great American CleanUp, Kosciusko Mayor Jimmy Cockroft enlists members of the Mayor’s Youth Council and other citizens to complete some cleanup and beautification projects within the city limits. Often, they are aided by city employees.
This year, the Mayor is also hoping to capitalize on the surge in community interest to create and man a Keep Kosciusko Beautiful Committee.
“I really feel if we could get that better organized, we could have a more successful effort,” said Cockroft. He also noted that, while cleanups would be part of the committee’s efforts, committee members could get involved in many other city beautification projects.
After hearing about those that started cleanup efforts on their own on area highways in recent months, Attala County resident Chip Hawkins put out the call on his Facebook page to encourage greater participation in conjunction with the April 21 cleanup events.
Through his Difference Makers for Attala County Facebook group, Hawkins has received commitments from more than 100 Attalans who will work this Saturday to clean up all the highways from the city limits out to the edges of the county.
“Basically, we are trying to cover every mile of Highways 12, 35, 19, 14, and 43 from county line to city limit. We have over 100 people that have volunteered so far, but we need at least 100 more,” said Hawkins.
“We realize that some people have physical limitations that keep them from standing too long or walking too far, so we will be respectful of that. If 15 minutes is all a person can endure, then we will be happy to get that 15 minutes,” he said, adding that “others can help us by driving volunteers to the various spots, delivering bags, collecting bags, passing out water, or simply helping spread the word.”
Team captains for the county group should meet along with the city groups at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning at Jason Niles Park on Knox Road to pick up bags. Volunteers can either meet there or simply go meet up with other groups along the indicated roadways.
Hawkins said those not on Facebook, or those with questions about the county effort can call or text him at 662-801-0588.
The Star-Herald is offering a $50 prize for the person who brings the most unusual item they find while cleaning up a roadside on Saturday. If you find an item you want to enter into the competition, bring it to Jason Niles Park at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
