Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 18, 1991 TAG: 9104190278
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARY JO SHANNON SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
On Saturday, approximately 1,000 volunteers are expected to help clean and beautify the Roanoke Valley, according to Ellen Aiken, Clean Valley Council director.
Two major cleanup groups - Clean Valley Council and Coalition for a Clean River - have joined forces to host one event targeting all areas in the valley for a good spring cleaning.
"Volunteers register before the event," Aiken said, "and pick up trash bags, drinks and a souvenir hat from the Clean Valley Council office on Luck Avenue. The hats have a special logo [that] . . . combines the two projects by showing a mountain and a river."
Participants may select sections along the Roanoke River and its tributaries, or sites near their neighborhoods such as parks, vacant lots or roadways that accumulate trash.
Cleanup will take place from 9 a.m. to noon, when workers will gather at Smith Park in Roanoke for lunch. Free beverages will be provided, but workers are expected to pack their own picnic lunches.
Live entertainment will be provided by the Backwoods Trio, a bluegrass band. Children will be treated to a puppet show, courtesy of "Puppets by PIZZAZZ."
A recycling bin for recyclable beverage containers collected during the cleanup will be provided by Handy Dump, and groups are encouraged to bring recyclable materials back to the picnic site.
As in the past, area landfills will observe special hours on the day of cleanup.
The Roanoke Regional Landfill will allow free use by permit, available in advance from the Clean Valley Council. The Salem and Botetourt landfills will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Clean Valley Council has held this event annually in the spring since 1978. The Coalition for a Clean River held a fall River Clean Up, partly as a commemorative project related to the Flood of '85.
This year, the groups decided to combine the events to simplify organizational and financial matters. A spring date was selected to tie in with Earth Day festivities.
Some cleanup efforts will take place before the official day.
Many schools in Roanoke city and in Roanoke, Botetourt and Bedford counties are participating during the school days preceding the weekend. Activities include collecting litter on and near school property, recycling, and slogan and poster contests. James River High School students will clear a site on the river for a picnic area.
Another group also is helping spruce up our valley for company. Orange-vested litter pickers will be visible along Virginia's highways the week before Clean Valley/Clean River Day. These are not rare birds, but volunteers participating in the Virginia Department of Transportation's Adopt-A-Highway program.
As of April 1, 1310.3 miles in the 12-county Salem District have been adopted by 530 groups and five individuals, according to Laura Bullock at the Salem District VDOT office. Others interested in participating may call the office, 387-5320.
by CNB