The Fentress Newcomers Group’s third annual trash pick-up event underway.
Co-leader Susan Withstandley said the organization sponsors the clean-up this time of year to in recognition of Earth Day. Withstandley said they are asking folks to pick up the trash on roadsides, trails, church yards and playgrounds.
“We live in such a beautiful area, and yet if you drive along our roads, there is a lot of garbage blowing out or being thrown out of vehicles,” Withstandley said. “And we just want people to get on the same wavelength – that garbage goes to the dump.”
Withstandley said you can visit the Woodyard Garbage site in Jamestown to pick up vests, gloves and garbage bags at no charge. Participants are asked to bring the garbage back to the site where it will be weighed.
“Our goal this year is to beat our last two years,” Withstandley said. “Two years ago, we had 750 pounds of garbage and last year, was about 1,250. So our goal this year is to beat that.”
Withstandley said the group is getting help from school students. Some teachers added a problem-based learning class on recycling to their curriculum.
“Because if you teach the kids, then it becomes intrinsic in their behavior and then they teach their parents what to be doing,” Withstandley said. “So getting the school system involved was a real win situation this year.”
Withstandley said any student who brings garbage to the site will get what’s called a litter ticket. The classroom with the most litter tickets will get a pizza party — courtesy of the Fentress Newcomers Group.
