Elmore County Commissioner Henry Hines has been on the commission for five years. And for five years he has been organizing a county cleanup.
It has grown over the years to expand to a three-day weekend in April.
“It allows people to form teams more easily,” Hines said. “It allows for more competition between teams, especially from schools.”
This year’s success was noted well before the cleanup ever started.
“Four weeks before the event we had more people than ever participated signed up,” Hines said. “I’m especially proud of the teams from the Eclectic schools.”
Athletic teams especially joined in the effort Friday. In Tallassee athletic teams cleanup around schools. The same for the Coosada and Millbrook schools.
All the schools had various clubs and organizations participate as well.
Area churches created teams.
“I’ve always said Sunday school groups can get out and participate,” Hines said. “They have taken advantage of the lessons that can be learned along the road.”
The county supplied bags, safety vests and aids to picking up the litter.
This weekend, the teams bagged the litter and left it on the sides of Elmore County roadways. The Elmore County Public Works Department spent part of Monday picking the bagged litter to dispose of it properly.
“The cleanup works best when we work as a team,” Hines said. “A little friendly competition adds to it. It’s amazing how partnerships can make a difference and make everything better.”
