CULLMAN, Ala. – Since 1987, People Against a Littered State (PALS) and its local chapters have been banding together to clean up litter from roadways, parks and other public areas across the state. Fittingly, the group takes charge for one week during April, also known to some as Earth Month. While Earth Day will be celebrated this year on April 22, Cullman County PALS is planning the celebration a little early with its Spring Cleanup happening Saturday, April 13.
From 8 a.m.-noon that day, Cullman County PALS is partnering with both the City of Cullman and Cullman County Sanitation Departments to offer additional Dumpsters for public use; these Dumpsters will be placed to help offset the amount of additional trash and disposable materials collecting while volunteers clean and de-litter areas surrounding driveways, homes and parks.
Cherrie Haney of Cullman County PALS says local municipal offices have supplies for volunteers; PALS supplies the needed bags and receptacles. “Please contact your local town hall or city hall for bags,” she said. “We are asking all citizens to pick up the roads around their homes as far as possible in each direction.”
With an area of more than 700 square miles, the cleanup will be no easy feat, requiring participation, coordination and cooperation from the county’s residents and the leaders alike. Haney said governmental bodies have been instrumental in the clean-up, stating, “We could not do this without the help from the City and County Sanitation Departments; they provide the Dumpsters each year.”
Tires, paint, chemicals or hazardous materials cannot and should not be placed inside the designated PALS Spring Cleanup Dumpsters and should be disposed of safely.
Volunteer organizations and groups are more than welcome to “claim” an area to beautify as a group philanthropic or service charity day; for families that would like to teach children more about the environment and taking care of the Earth, PALS Spring Cleanup is the perfect opportunity.
“Please, any group that would like to help (can) contact me for bags and vests,” Haney chuckled.
Locations for the public Dumpsters include:
- West Elementary School
- East Elementary School
- Cullman High School
- Cold Springs School
- Baileyton Town Hall
- Colony Community Center
- Crane Hill Sulphur Springs
- Dodge City Fire Station
- Fairview Community Park (across from Fairview Superette)
- Garden City maintenance area
- Good Hope City Hall
- Hanceville behind City Hall
- Holly Pond – Lions Club Park
- Jones Chapel School
- Vinemont First Baptist Church
- West Point Maintenance Building (across from town hall)
Haney can be reached by phone at 256-531-5222.
