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Frank Buie joins other volunteers in picking up trash near the intersection of Two Notch Road and Sparkleberry Lane on Saturday.
Posted on Mon, Mar. 31, 2008
Volunteers pitch in to pick up trash
Scarcely a plastic bag, paper cup or gum wrapper was left unturned by the small band of volunteers who had embarked on a one-mile assault on litter.
The dozen or so workers picking up trash along Two Notch Road in northeast Richland County this weekend were part of an effort to spruce up the Midlands.
“It just looked so bad,” Jackie Prueitt said Saturday as she surveyed the grounds bordering the railroad tracks near Spring Valley High School. “I just decided to do it and started to beg others to come out.”
All across the area, cries likes hers are being heard. Prueitt is the leader of one of several teams holding community cleanups as part of The Midlands Makeover. The annual effort, which began in recent weeks, is part of the Great American Cleanup — the nation’s largest community improvement program.
Keep the Midlands Beautiful executive director Heidi Johnson said participation in the program is up this year. Last year about 300 people from Lexington and Richland counties got involved, and this year the number already is approaching 500.
“We can always use more volunteers,” Johnson said. “Some have been doing it (for years), but they haven’t been recognized, so this gives them a little more visibility.”
The visibility most concerning volunteers this weekend was the piles of litter lining the road. For three hours those volunteers picked up trash along an approximate mile-long stretch on Two Notch just north and south of Sparkleberry Lane. They found cups, bottles and various other debris.
“We didn’t know we’d get so much done, but we’ve had some really good help,” said Carol Dodson, one of those lending a hand.
Northeast residents Maxey and Julia Love also joined this weekend’s cleanup in hopes of tidying up their neighborhood.
“It just accumulates unless somebody gets it up,” Maxey Love said. “Volunteers put in a lot of hours in this community.”
The weekend’s youngest volunteer was Richland Northeast High School junior Jamal Mtshali, who got involved as part of a service project for his sociology class and was eager to make a positive impact.
“It’s really appalling to see all this trash out here,” he said. “I like to do my part to clean up the environment.”
Johnson is hopeful that thinking will take root with others. With additional cleanups planned in the coming weeks, she hopes to surpass 500 volunteers.
“We would definitely welcome neighborhood groups.”
Keep the Midlands Beautiful provides safety vests, garbage bags, gloves, water bottles and bug spray. The agency also publicizes the events on its Web site and works with the appropriate governmental bodies.
The effort officially runs through May 1.
