Group to clean Main Street to Keep America Beautiful

Ben Lomand Garden Club will be sponsoring a 2007 Keep America Beautiful, Great American Cleanup project today at 5 p.m. at First United Methodist Church on Main Street.

?We want to keep our community beautiful,? said organizer Jolletta Dean. ?We have gathered a group of children from First United Methodist Church, plus some of our members? grandchildren to help clean Main Street.?

Keep American Beautiful was established in 1953 and is the nation?s largest volunteer-based community action and education program that engages individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community environment.

Keep America Beautiful?s Great American Cleanup is in its 22nd year. The campaign enlists and supports countless volunteers to take greater individual responsibility to clean, beautify, and improve their communities.

?We want everyone to get involved in keeping their community clean,? said Dean. ?Come up and help us with Main Street or clean beside your business or your home even if it isn?t on Main Street. Please don?t litter and keep our community clean and beautiful.?

The program offers the following tips:

? Pick up a piece of litter every day.

? Keep a litter bag in your car so you dispose of litter properly.

? Help local schools with recycling drives and cleanup projects.

? Recycle old tires.

? Report graffiti.

? Conduct a recycling drive in your neighborhood or business.

? Ask your local government officials to establish regular community improvement activities, and to support and promote volunteer efforts.