“Take out the papers and the trash; Or you don’t get no spendin’ cash,” sang The Coasters in 1958. “Yakety Yak” was the title.
Later in the song there’s mention of a hoodlum friend.
Here now is 2021, it’s Spring Litter Sweep time. And this year, the City of Henderson is hosting a Community Cleanup Day on Saturday April 17.
The event starts at 8 a.m. and goes until noon. So grab your good friends and spread the word, and when you take out your papers and trash, put them in a bag in a barrel.
Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department Director Kendrick Vann wrote to WIZS News and said the “startup location will be at the Public Works Building at 900 South Beckford Drive. Participants are able to register on site” starting at 7:30 a.m.
Pre-registration opportunities also exist. “Remember this a great opportunity for citizens, families, businesses, churches and all local social organizations to take part in cleaning up our streets and our community,” Vann wrote.
Only the participants that clear the COVID-19 precautions will be allowed to participate. Participants over the age of five will be required to wear a mask at all times.
For more information, contact Tracey Kimbrell at 252.430.5702 (Tkimbrell@ci.henderson.nc.us).
State transportation officials are encouraging people across North Carolina to join the clean-up initiative.
According to a press release, N.C. Department of Transportation crews, contract forces, Adopt-A-Highway and Sponsor-A-Highway groups and other volunteers have already collected nearly 3 million pounds of trash statewide this year.
In that press release, N.C. Board of Transportation Division 8 Representative Lisa Mathis said, “Litter is an issue that affects everyone. Our roadsides are our front door to the world … Let’s not trash it up carelessly. It’s important that we all act responsibly and do our part to keep NC looking it’s best. We urge everyone to have some pride and put trash in its proper place. We also encourage people to supplement our efforts by volunteering for a clean-up event.”
The tradition is for NCDOT to schedule a two-week period in April and and another in September to amplify litter clean-up across the state. Residents can visit www.ncdot.gov/littersweep to get more information about April’s spring Litter Sweep, set for April 10-24, and contact a local coordinator to get involved.