Volunteers will help clear Jackson's streets of litter

JACKSON - On April 12 more than 400 volunteers, all members of several Jackson nonprofit organizations, will participate in Jackson's community cleanup day. The event's theme is "Litter Free, You and Me" and is sponsored by the New Jersey Clean Communities Grant and Mayor Mark Seda.

The event will be headquartered at the Jackson Justice Complex off West Veterans Highway. Participants will register between 7:30 and 8 a.m., enjoy breakfast under the tents with the mayor, and then set out to clean roadside litter on miles of township roads. All safety equipment and supplies are purchased through the New Jersey Clean Communities Grant.

Clean Communities coordinator Patricia Wood said, "This is a community-driven effort to reduce litter in Jackson."

This event is the first of two that will be held in Jackson this year, the second to be held sometime in October. According to Seda, the cleanup serves several purposes including reducing litter in just a few hours, encouraging community service and resulting in community pride.

Participating organizations are Green Thumb Garden Club, Jackson HOSA, Cub Scout Pack 34, Men's Club at Four Seasons, Jackson United Methodist Church, Boy Scout Troop 250, Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, God with Us Church, Jackson School Bus Drivers Scholarship Fund, Jackson Memorial High School Ice Hockey, Jackson Memorial High School Interact Club, Jackson Liberty High School FBLA, Hope Cathedral Church, Jackson Elks Lodge, Cub Scout Pack 104, Jackson Soccer Club, Knights of Columbus, and Jackson Optimists JOOI Club.

All participating groups will receive a monetary donation, the amount depending on the number of participants from their organization, which is paid through the Clean Communities Grant. In addition, all participants will receive T-shirts and giveaways, all made from recycled products.

Awards will also be presented that day for a poster contest that is being sponsored by the Clean Communities Grant for K-5 students in Jackson's elementary schools. Participants' posters must be based on the theme "Litter Free, You and Me - Clean, Reuse & Recycle" and will be judged by the Township Council. Winners will be awarded prizes for first and second place in two categories as well as honorable mention ribbons. First-place winners will also win $100 that will be given to their teachers for classroom supplies.

The Clean Communities event is a collaboration of efforts headed by Wood, assistant coordinator Connie Sidor, with the assistance of the mayor, the Township Council, Administrator Phil Del Turco, Jackson police and Officer Pat Mackin, and the Jackson Public Works Department employees and Public Works Director Fred Rasiewicz.

For information or applications for the fall cleanup, call (732) 928-1200, ext. 267 or ext. 269.