The Eatonton environmental committee hosted a community wide clean up day.
“This event helps to bring the community together by citizens working in unity for a common goal which is to have a clean and vibrant city,” said Janie Reid, member of the Eatonton environmental committee and coordinator of Eatonton Youth Leadership.
Councilman James Gorley initiated the activity back in 1996 which started off as Amnesty Day. The event was an opportunity for residents to get rid of excess and heavier pieces of junk or discard oversized trash that would not fit on the garbage truck.
In later years, the event would develop into the clean-up day known today. Former Rev. R. B. Bass, while serving as Pastor of St. John AME Church and chairperson of the local minister’s union, approached Mayor Reid about holding a community-wide cleanup. Rev. Bass volunteered to stay at city hall and grill hotdogs while groups were out cleaning the community, which is what is still done today. At this time, the community clean-up day was done in May to ensure that the city was clean in preparation of the Dairy Festival.
“In earlier years, several local organizations and civic groups participated, and each organization would wear a t-shirt with its name on it, therefore each group was easily recognized as they were giving back to the community,” said Reid.
At one time in Eatonton’s history, the city even received a mini grant from the Department of Community Affairs’ Keep Georgia Peachy Clean statewide campaign to help with the cleaning effort. During this time, the city had a beautification committee to work on these efforts.
Now that the committee is no longer active, the city’s environmental committee has taken charge of the clean-up efforts. The committee is chaired this year by Councilwoman Mylle Mangum.
Councilwoman Mangum coordinated the community clean-up day this year and Councilwoman Reid ensured the cleanup was a required service activity of Eatonton Youth Leadership.
“This year’s event was also co-coordinated by the Eatonton GICH Team of which I serve as chairperson,” said Reid. “It is in the city’s GICH Plan as one of its annual community pride events.”
Majority of the Eatonton Youth Leadership Council, Mayor Reid, Councilwoman Reid, Councilwoman Mangum and Former Councilmember Bill Mangum all helped in the clean-up. Kim Smith, Woody Farley, Donna Waters and Laramie Fuller from The Peoples Bank grilled the hot dogs that were donated by Huskins Law Firm.
City Administrator Gary Sanders identified the areas to be cleaned. During this year’s clean-up, the volunteers cleaned at Agnes Drive, North Maple Avenue, Hogan Boulevard, Jimmy Davis Park, East Eatonton Cemetery, Rock Lane and Hogan Industrial.
“After the clean-up we met back at city hall and talked about what we, as a community, could possibly do to keep people from littering,” said Reid.
Littering can be harmful in many ways. It can harm both the soil and water, depending where it is left. In addition, local wildlife can be harmed by consuming or having litter destroy their habitats. Littering also deters tourists and can cause a diverse range of health effects if it builds up. Keeping local communities clean should be a priority of the city and its residents.
“Plans are to hold this event every year and it is our hope that organizations and civic groups will participate,” said Reid. “This community clean up is an activity that we all can participate in and be proud of.”