LAPLACE – St. John the Baptist Parish and the “Keep St. John Beautiful” committee hosted a parishwide clean up day on April 13 in an effort to promote the beautification of the community. More than 250 volunteers from government agencies, churches, schools, community and neighborhood organizations, firefighters, council members, parish employees and other volunteers participated.
“Clean Sweep is a cooperative effort that must continue throughout the year if we are to make a difference. Beautifying the parish cannot be accomplished in just one day,” said Parish President Natalie Robottom. “We encourage our residents to take pride in their neighborhoods by keeping them clean,” she added.
Many volunteers met at Highway 51 Park to kick off the day while others headed directly to their clean-up sites. In coordination with the committee, each group was assigned to specific areas to clean, including major thoroughfares throughout the parish. To end the day and to celebrate a great clean-up effort, volunteers returned to Highway 51 Park for food, drinks and music by the band Remedy.
Residents are encouraged to continue beautification efforts by participating in the Adopt-A-Spot and Adopt-A-Road programs. The purpose of the programs is to encourage the community and civic-minded organizations to participate in the beautification of storefronts, subdivision entrances, faith-based facilities and parish roadways. It also encourages residents to work to improve their neighborhoods by cleaning littered curbs, sidewalks and vacant lots, cutting grass, pulling high weeds and planting flowers.
The parish would like to thank Progressive Waste, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Coca-Cola, Allyson Supply Inc., Chris Eichhorn, a Taste of St. John and Wayne Jacob’s Smokehouse for partnering with St. John and the “Keep St. John Beautiful” committee for this year’s event.
“Clean Sweep made picking up trash fun,” said volunteer Cynthia Clifton with the LSU AG Center 4-H club. “We picked up nine garbage bags along Highway 18 while talking and laughing, and we look forward to next year.”
East St. John Secretary Yvette Scioneaux and 10 students from East St. John’s Interact and Explorers Club were also excited to participate.
“A clean community shows others that we care, and despite the displacement of some of our students, we still have a responsibility to uphold,” Scioneaux said.
St. John Parish and the Keep St. John Beautiful committee recently launched a litter campaign called “Littering Is Wrong Too” to create awareness of the negative impact of litter on the community. Support the campaign by visiting litteringiswrongtoo.org or visit St. John’s social media sites at facebook.com/sjbparish or twitter at @SJBPgov. For more information on the Adopt-A-Road program visit www.dotd.state.la.us/. The Litter Enforcement Agency manages the Adopt-A-Spot program. Those who are interested should contact Dana Milioto at 985-652-9569 or visit sjbparish.com for more information.
“Please mark your calendars for the Fall Clean Sweep to be held on Sept. 28, 2013,” said Milioto, St. John Clean Sweep coordinator. Information will be posted online, and participants are encouraged to sign up early.