Rivers Alive volunteers needed for 2016 cleanup in Rockmart area on Sept. 24

From Staff Reports

It’s that time of year again when one local organization needs help in keeping Polk County’s streams and creeks free of filth.

The Polk County chapter of Keep Polk Beautiful is joining with Keep America Beautiful organizations across the country on Saturday, Sept. 24 in Rockmart for its Rivers Alive event, an annual cleanup by volunteers of trash that litters the county and nation’s waterways.

“Keep Polk Beautiful alternates cleanup areas between Cedartown and Rockmart every other year in order to ensure we’re adequately addressing all our beautiful streams,” said Vance Voinche, Keep Polk Beautiful Executive Director.

Volunteers will meet in Rockmart starting with registration at 8 a.m. for work on Euharlee Creek. Groups will form and then spread out to clean debris from creek sides and roadways and the Silver Come t Trail this year. Those participating will receive a 2016 “Rivers Alive” t-shirt on a first come, first serve basis and along with breakfast.

“Two hundred-plus volunteers working for four hours can make a big difference in the health of our streams, and our environment,” Voinche said.

Volunteers are asked to wear tennis shoes and sensible clothing for cleanup work, and bring gloves and hand held “loppers” to clear overhanging branches on the trail.

No projects are expected to take more than a couple of hours, Voinches said.

For more information or to volunteer for 2016 Rivers Alive cleanup, call Keep Polk Beautiful at 678-246-1083, or email kpbeautiful@polkga.org.