The next Meridian and Lauderdale County Good Citizen Clean-up Day is set for Saturday, March 29, from 9 a.m. to noon, when participants will enjoy an afterparty at Highland Park, and more volunteers are needed to help with the effort.

“This is our fifth clean-up over the last 14 months,” said the group’s Craig Wilkes. “We still need volunteers, especially in Merrehope. Just make sure you come find me or another organizer so we can issue you the orange trash bags necessary [for the program].”

 

The following are the site locations:

• Start Merrehope – 905 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
• Start Highland Baptist Church – 3400 27th St.
• Start B Street and 11th Avenue – Tuxedo
• Start Red Hot parking lot – Walmart
• Start 29th Avenue/North Hills Street
• 4305 8th Street/O’Reilly Auto parking lot

The previous clean-up events have been so successful that the “Keep Mississippi Beautiful” organization, an affiliate of the national “Keep America Beautiful” organization, announced recently the city of Meridian has won an award in the “Government” category for its efforts.

The awards honor Mississippians who have “demonstrated outstanding leadership in their communities in the areas of litter prevention, recycling, waste reduction, beautification and community improvement.”

Wilkes explained that the city of Meridian had implemented an aggressive policy to remove neglected or abandoned properties that had become magnets for crime, as well as make plans to deal with litter blighting the area. As a result, the city’s Code Enforcement Department oversaw the demolition of more than 100 properties, which led to a drop in crime and an improved visual appeal to neighborhoods.

The city coordinates the activity with code enforcement personnel to identify areas that need attention.

“Clean streets are critical to the safety and vitality of Meridian,” Wilkes said. “Cleaner streets offer an improved quality of life, helping with both mental and physical outlooks. It tends to lead residents to visit parks, to exercise and to interact with their neighbors and community.”

Since the city started a volunteer program to clean up litter, more than 200 tires and 10 tons of garbage have been removed from city streets.

These regular citywide clean-ups raise awareness about the consequences of littering, often educating residents on the importance of a well-maintained environment, Wilkes said, calling it a collaboration between volunteers and the city to create positive change in the community.

“We need your help to create a positive image for our community.”

Contact Wilkes at 601-485-1998 or on his cell number, 917-664-7255, or call Craig Hitt at 601-64-5610 for more information about Saturday’s clean-up or how to get involved.