Volunteers still needed for Big Sweep
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on October 1, 2014 1:46 PM
Get out your boots and gloves and get ready to help clean up Wayne County Saturday.
Big Sweep 2014, a nationwide watershed cleanup, will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and volunteers are still needed.
Anyone can participate in Big Sweep, said Wayne County coordinator Barbara Byers. Just pick an area to clean, or join volunteers at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park and other local designated areas, and pick up trash. Volunteers can be individuals, families, Scouts, school clubs, 4-H clubs, churches, businesses or civic organizations.
"Participating in Big Sweep is a great way to do community service for youths," Ms. Byers said. "And it helps the environment and animals."
The local Big Sweep also helps hold down the rodent population, and it helps promote Wayne County as a place that cares, she said.
Anyone wanting to volunteer for this year's event should contact Ms. Byers at 919-731-1527 or email her at Barbara.byers@waynegov.com to sign up. All volunteers will be given bags, gloves and data cards that are used to track what's being picked up.
Big Sweep began in Wayne County about 25 years ago, Ms. Byers said.
Last year, 266 local volunteers cleaned 18 sites, picking up 84 bags of trash that weighed 1,364 pounds. They covered almost 19 miles. Since 2005, Big Sweep in Wayne County has seen 2,209 volunteers pick up 210,188 pounds of trash, covering 158 1/2 miles.
Some of the things picked up here in past years include a microwave, a tire, 178 cans, 194 bottles to recycle, a tent, a cooler with clothes in it, a gas can and a purse with makeup in it. Volunteers have also picked up 150 car parts and many, many fishing line spools.