Keep America Beautiful works to inspire people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment through programs like the Great American Cleanup. The Great American Cleanup marks its 20th year in 2018 and was launched on the first day of spring, March 20, 218 and will run through May 31, 2018. The Great American Cleanup prompts individuals to take greater responsibility for their local environment by conducting grassroots community service projects that engage volunteers, local businesses and civic leaders. Everyone is encouraged to participate.
The Great American Cleanup began as a litter cleanup initiative designed to aesthetically improve our environment by creating cleaner parks, streetscapes and public spaces through litter removal and elimination. To this day, community cleanups remain at the very heart of the campaign, and results are remarkable. In 2017 alone, nearly 186 million pounds of litter and debris were collected by volunteers throughout the country.
Dillon County Sheriff’s Department will participate in the Great American Cleanup and urges local leaders, business and civic leaders to gain knowledge about the community’s needs and join in, select, and participate in community cleanup projects. Information and supplies needed to participate will be made available. Sheriff Major Hulon asks that anyone who would like to volunteer, lead, organize an event, or participate contact him at the Sheriff’s Department for more information. This is the perfect opportunity for local churches, youth groups, schools, businesses, and organizations to participate with others in doing something good for our community.
You may also contact Sandra J. Turner at 843-774-3292 if you, your organization, or group would like to participate in this year’s Great American Cleanup. Everyone’s help is needed and appreciated. Let’s Keep America Beautiful by starting in our own Dillon County!
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Palmetto Pride has recognized and awarded Dillon County Sheriff’s Department $10,000 in community pride grant funds (for 2018). Palmetto Pride is South Carolina’s anti-litter and beautification organization. PalmettoPride was created by the Legislature to fight litter and keep our state clean, green and beautiful. The organization aims to educate the public on the impacts of litter to help prevent it, enforce current litter laws, bring awareness to the issue, and encourage and empower groups to take ownership of their communities by picking up and eradicating litter.
Grant funds are being used to purchase a new trailer and much needed equipment for the county’s litter patrol program. This program was implemented in 2009, shortly after Sheriff Major Hulon was elected. Since then, over a million pounds of trash and debris has been picked up and cleared from the county’s highways, roadsides, and scenic areas. Cleanup continues throughout the year. Litter consists of roadside trash, plastic, glass, cans, furniture, old tires, appliances, and other debris discarded on county roadways and in other areas of the county. Roderick (Birdman) Miller has been supervising the program for many years and sees daily the affects littering has on the beauty of Dillon County. Citizens are urged to remember, littering trashes everyone! It is illegal and offenders will be charged and fined.