Organizers seek ‘Clean Sweep’ volunteers

Organizers of “Kingston Clean Sweep” — scheduled for May 6 — is looking for volunteers for the eighth annual sprucing up the city. The event is to place from 9 a.m. to noon.

Volunteers will pick up litter along the “Kingston Corridor,” from the railroad crossing on Washington Avenue, near the Esopus Creek, through the Uptown business district and down Broadway to the Rondout waterfront, as well as on some side streets.

Kingston Clean Sweep is sponsored by the Friends of Historic Kingston, with support from the city of Kingston and numerous business, service and civic organizations, schools, churches and individual volunteers.

This year, the event coincides with the Kingston “Clean up the Parks” program.

Each group or individual is assigned a section of the “Sweep Corridor” and is supplied with trash bags and plastic gloves donated by local businesses.

Volunteers are asked to bring their own rakes and brooms. Filled bags are placed at the curb to be collected by the city Department of Public Works immediately following the event.

Some of the participating organizations for this year’s Clean Sweep include the Friends of Historic Kingston, Junior League of Kingston, Kingston High School, Kingston Rotary, Kingston Uptown Business Association, Ulster Garden Club, Young Ulster Professionals, Rondout Rowing Club and Ward Four community group.

Last year, about 250 volunteers picked up almost 4,000 pounds of trash and 11 cubic yards of litter, yard waste and metal materials.

Any group or individual seeking to volunteer can call Friends of Historic Kingston at (845) 339-0720 or email abrett1@verizon. net.