ATHOL – Organizers are wrapping up preparations for this weekend’s Green Clean Athol Spring Cleanup Day. Participants will pick up bags and gloves at Lord Pond Plaza this Saturday morning then head to streets throughout town to pick up the refuse that has accumulated over recent months — plastic bags and bottle, cans, cardboard containers, and anything else tossed into and hidden by the snowbanks that piled up as roads were plowed following winter storms.
While many people have already signed up to take part, anyone who decides to simply show up Saturday morning will gladly be given bags and gloves by the organizers. All ages are welcome, and families are encouraged to take part, but children must be accompanied by adults.
Local groups that have put together teams of volunteers for the cleanup include the Athol Women’s Club, North Quabbin Lodge of Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, Athol Orange Rotary Club, and South Athol Methodist Church.
“It’s really important for us to mention that the town of Athol’s Public Works Department has been very supportive and cooperative of this effort,” said event co-organizer Heidi Strickland. “We want them to get credit because they really have been wonderful — very supportive.”
Strickland said the DPW is providing two trucks and drivers for the effort.
“They will pick up bags of trash that people have collected and take them to the transfer station,” she said. “People can deliver the bags to our meeting spot at Lord Pond Plaza, or they can take them to the transfer station on their own if they want if that’s easier for them. The bags then get weighed and added to the total. And people don’t have to use town bags; they can use whatever.”
Last year, according to Strickland, more than 100 people participated in the cleanup effort. Strickland said 2.2 tons of trash were collected, along with 10 tires and several televisions.
Anyone with questions can call Strickland at 978-500-2973 or co-organizer Bonnie Benjamin at 978-821-2217.