The City of Troy started a campaign to spruce things up in the coming weeks. From April 22 (Earth Day) to May 31, the city is seeking volunteers to help in its first annual citywide volunteer clean-up campaign, “Team up to clean up.”
Melissa Sanders, executive director of Keep Troy Beautiful, said the campaign is in affiliation with Keep America Beautiful.
Whether it is planting flowers, fixing a playground swing or picking up trash along Elm Street, Sanders said any effort to improve the city’s appearance is one that will improve the quality of life.
“When you bring volunteers together – organizations, churches, even neighborhoods – it creates a stronger community and for Troy to be great, we need a strong community,” she said. “And when people come through Troy and see cleaner streets, it shows we take pride in our home.”
According to Keep America Beautiful vibrant communities aren’t just aesthetically pleasing, they’re places with engaged citizens, more active local economies, higher property values, healthier environments and improved public safety. They’re better places to raise a family, start a business or go to school.
To encourage participation, those who register on the City of Troy’s website will be eligible for a drawing with prizes like a $100 VISA Gift Card, courtesy of TB&T.
Troy has a Facebook page that will track efforts and post submitted photos.
While all efforts are appreciated, emphasis has been placed on picking up trash. Groups can choose areas they want to tackle or pick from a list of recommended places. The recommendations are places frequented by travelers.
“We’ll supply all of the trash bags and are even supplying the litter-grabbers,” Sanders said.
Folks can pick up bags and borrow litter-grabbers once their event is registered. The projects can be initiated by an individual or by a group. Sanders recommended enlisting the help of friends, neighbors, co-workers and church families. She said it would have a snowball effect.
“Everybody needs to be a part and come out, but it only takes one small person to make a change,” Sanders said. “All someone has to do is select an area in the City of Troy, pick a date and register their group, collect litter, take pictures and have fun.”
Troy’s Team Up to Clean Up will run from Earth Day (April 22) to May 31. For more or to register a team, go to http://www.troyal.gov/team-up-to-clean-up. Check Keep Troy Beautiful’s Facebook page for stories and photos from the campaign throughout the event.