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‘Clean Sweep’ seeks helpers
Volunteers from Home Depot build flower boxes and terraces for a community garden to celebrate Earth Day on Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at the Weed and Seed Program Center.
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HUNTINGTON -- Volunteers across Huntington will wage war on litter, graffiti and weeds next week during the city's inaugural "Clean Sweep."
And as a prelude to the week-long cleanup, the city's Weed and Seed program will host an Earth Day event to dedicate a new community garden.
"This is going to be an exceptionally busy year for tourism, and we want to make sure we showcase Huntington for our visitors," said Brandi Jacobs-Jones, director of administration and finance. "It is our goal to once again make the Jewel City sparkle, and we encourage everyone to join us in this first annual event."
Civic groups, church groups, student organizations, businesses, and concerned citizens are encouraged to participate, Jacobs-Jones said. Here's what you need to know:
EARTH DAY: From 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, there will be a celebration of Earth Day at the Weed and Seed Center, located at the corner of Hal Greer Boulevard and 10th Avenue. The event is geared toward children and will have inflatables and hands-on educational activities about how to take care of the Earth, said Jennifer Williams, an intern with the Weed and Seed program.
At 4 p.m., Gov. Joe Manchin will join Mayor Kim Wolfe in planting a tree that will mark the dedication of a community garden in the back of the building.
Moses Honda also will have a hybrid vehicle and a new "clean diesel" car on display and will give presentations at 4:45 p.m., Williams said.
Those who bring a shopping bag full of recyclables to the event are eligible for raffle prizes.
For more information, call Williams at 304-840-2500.
DOWNTOWN CLEANUP: The downtown cleanup will take place on Saturday, April 25, and Saturday, May 2. Those who come to the April 25 cleanup will meet at 9 a.m. at Old Main on Marshall University's campus. Those who help clean on May 2, will meet at 9 a.m. at Pullman Square.
Cleanup activities will include picking up litter, pulling weeds, scrubbing off graffiti, painting curbs and electrical boxes and planting flowers. Kotalic Landscaping will donate flowers and plants to the cause, Jacobs-Jones said. Volunteers are not required to bring anything. Materials will be supplied.
Businesses that want to donate supplies for the cleanup are asked to call Cathy Snoddy at 304-697-7550 or e-mail csnoddy@huntingtonjuniorcollege.edu.
RESIDENTIAL CLEANUP: The Mayor's Office is encouraging neighborhood organizations and residents to sponsor cleanups in their areas between April 25 and May 2. Jacobs-Jones said she knows of at least two neighborhood groups -- Fairfield West and Highlawn -- that are doing cleanups during the requested times.
The city will place five large Dumpsters across the city and will set up three tire drop-off locations during the cleanup week, Jacobs-Jones said. The locations have not been determined yet.
City sanitation workers also will be picking up trash in alleys throughout the week, Jacobs-Jones said.
UNDERPASS CLEANING: The Huntington Fire and Street departments will clean the city's five underpasses on Tuesday, April 28. The Fire Department will spray down the walls as well, Jacobs-Jones said. Each underpass will be shut down for one hour for cleaning. The closing schedule is as follows:
1st Street, 9-10 a.m.
8th Street, 11 a.m.-noon.
10th Street, 1-2 p.m.
16th Street, 3-4 p.m.
20th Street, 7-8 p.m.
