With the help of more than 150 volunteers, about 250 bags of trash were collected during Saturday’s Keep America Beautiful Great American Cleanup in Poplarville.
Event organizer Laurie Lombardino said the turnout was more than expected.
According to previous Item coverage, when Lombardino moved to the city about six months ago, she noticed an increasing litter problem and decided to speak to city leaders about organizing a cleanup.
Keep America Beautiful is a nationwide nonprofit group who works with volunteers to convert public spaces into beautiful spaces, the website states.
Saturday morning, participants gathered at City Hall to obtain their garbage collection supplies and head to their designated cleaning area, Lombardino said. She estimated that about 13 cleanup efforts were ongoing in about a 20-mile radius in the city’s limits.
There were participants from many local groups including, Cub Scouts Pack 28, 4-H Blazing Saddles, CrossFit, Poplarville High School, Boy Scouts Troop 28, VFW Post 4196, The Barn Church, PRCC Athletics, Poplarville Middle School Student Council, Poplarville High School Rodeo Club and more than 50 individuals, Lombardino said.
Burger King, Pizza Hut and the Yogurt Bucket offered drinks and food discounts to participants, Lombardino said. Coca-Cola of Hattiesburg and Pinnacle Hospice also contributed.
Participants brought their filled trash bags to City Hall and Waste Management will dispose of the collected garbage, Lombardino said.
Cub Scouts Hunter Heatherly and Ben Fowler woke early Saturday morning to help clean up their city.
“I’m picking up trash to help keep the city clean because pollution kills animals,” Heatherly said. “If you throw your gum on the ground, a bird could eat it and it will get stuck in their throat and they will die.”
Fowler he noticed he picked up a lot of cigarette butts while he assisted in the effort and would like to remind people to put them in the garbage.
“I’m so proud of the businesses, organizations and residents for reaching out to help clean our city,” Lombardino said.
Poplarville Mayor Brad Necaise said he could not say enough good things about Saturday’s volunteer turnout.
“This proves how much they care about the community we call home,” Necaise said. “My only regret is that I didn’t get to personally thank each and every participant on Saturday. Please allow me this opportunity to express my gratitude to each and every volunteer. We could not have accomplished what we did without you. Poplarville belongs to the people and Saturday’s turnout proved the people care by literally rolling up their sleeves and working to Keep Poplarville Beautiful. My one request to everyone is please put litter in its place and help in keeping Poplarville beautiful for the days, weeks, months and years to come.”
Learn more about Poplarville’s cleanup efforts through Facebook at Keep Poplarville Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful at www.kab.org.