Clean Sweep Columbus organizers are recruiting volunteers for their fourth annual community cleanup, which will kick off March 24 at 9 a.m. at the Hitching Lot Farmer’s Market.
Volunteers are encouraged to register in advance at the Columbus-Lowndes Development Link’s website — cldlink.org — so organizers will know how many supplies are needed.
But Jason Spears, president of Link’d Young Professionals, said late registration also will be accepted the day of the event.
Clean Sweep volunteers will begin the second phase of a five-part plan to revitalize downtown Columbus’ Magnolia Bowl. Last year, the outside of Magnolia Bowl was prepped and painted and volunteers now will touch up the exterior paint and begin sprucing up the interior.
Organizers hope to revitalize the stadium, so it can be used for community events, like outdoor movies, Spears said, noting the next three phases of revitalization will include repairing the bleachers and beautifying the area.
Seeds for Clean Sweep Columbus were planted during a 2008 Leadership Lowndes County class, Spears recalled. After its 2009 inception, the event has evolved, but the commitment remains the same.
“This is by far our flagship project in the community,” Spears said. “As young professionals, our primary focus is quality-of-life enhancement projects.”
Link’d Young Professionals offers networking and educational programs for ages 21 to 40.
Last year, Clean Sweep Columbus had more than 300 volunteers, but Spears said the event coincided with several others in town on the same day, possibly affecting participation. He hopes 450 to 600 volunteers this year will participate.
More is accomplished by more volunteers, he said, but even those who can’t attend the event can find opportunities to keep the spirit of Clean Sweep alive.
“One of the key things is awareness,” he explained. “People should make this a habit every day, to clean up after themselves, to pick up trash they see on the sidewalk. We’re all in this together, so we really need to work as one. Just by doing a little part, you really make a big impact.”
People also can help by bringing old electronics to the Hitching Lot March 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for an “e-cycle” day.
Spears said many people are like him — he had three cell phones lurking in desk drawers, because he didn’t know how to dispose of them. All electronic devices can be brought for recycling, from old computers to cell phones, even DVDs and CDs.
Kathy West, executive director of Keep Columbus-Lowndes Beautiful, said the Clean Sweep event will take place rain or shine, unless the weather is a danger to volunteers.
“If it’s just light rain or sprinkling, we’ll carry through,” West said. “It’s a great way to take pride in your community, help make the area more beautiful and you get a free lunch.”
Lunch will be provided by an anonymous donor.
Rakes, work gloves and other donated cleaning supplies will be available, but volunteers also are encouraged to bring their own.
Groups can choose the area of town they’d like to spruce up or they will be assigned to areas.
Clean Sweep is a joint project by Link’d Young Professionals and Keep Columbus-Lowndes Beautiful.
For more information, visit the Link’d Young Professionals website at cldlink.org or find them on Facebook.
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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