This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.

Green Up Clean-Up on May 2

To celebrate Earth Day, the end of winter, and the beginning of warmer weather, the Republican Town Committee (RTC) will host Green Up Clean-Up Day on Saturday, May 2, rain or shine.

“If you look around town, things have gotten a little seedy due to last winter, between the trash and things broken by plows,” said RTC Chair Tom Banisch. “We’re looking to clean up our downtown area.”

Volunteers can come to the front of the Madison Chamber of Commerce office at 12 School Street from 9 to 11 a.m., where they will be supplied with latex gloves and trash bags. If volunteers cannot make the morning time slot, they can pick up gloves and trash bags before 11 a.m. and deposit the collected garbage in the Dumpster, which will be in front of the Chamber all day.

The Republican Town Committee (RTC) now hosts the event, which was originally started by the Madison Beach & Recreation Department.

“I thought it was really important we continue this tradition,” said Banisch.

Several local civic organizations have been involved with Green Up Clean-Up Day over the years, including members of Friends of Hammonasset, the Young Republicans, the Rotary Club, the Lions Club, the Exchange Club, and the Boy Scouts.

Last year’s clean-up saw about 75 volunteers, but Banisch is hoping for more this year, noting that some years have brought between 300 and 400 volunteers. He noted that, while many civic organizations volunteer, all are welcome, including local businesses, neighborhood groups, friends, families, and individuals.

“The more people that come out, the more parts of town we could clean up,” said Banisch. “We can do the entire commercial area downtown, including Route 79, Bradley, Wall, and Post Road—maybe as far as the Green. Our intent is to start downtown and radiate out.”

In addition to the clean-up downtown, the local youth sports teams are also encouraged to clean up their fields. Banisch hopes that exposing youth to these initiatives will not only help the town today, but also help the future.

“When I was a kid, Lady Bird Johnson had a campaign, ‘Give a hoot, don’t pollute,’ and it had a profound effect on me,” said Banisch. “I’d love to instill that feeling, especially in the kids, because if they develop an attitude that pollution is bad and littering is bad, hopefully they won’t grow up to be a litterbug.”

For information or to RSVP to volunteer, contact Tom Banisch at 203-245-8705 or tbanisch@chemswap.com.