The Patrick County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Patrick County Greenteam, Patrick County Tourism and EMI Security is pleased to announce the return of Pick Up Patrick. This countywide initiative is to encourage individuals, schools, clubs and organizations to help clean up their community by cleaning up the roadsides and waterways.
Due to a donation by EMI Security, the Chamber will be able to encourage participation through monetary awards. There is a $500 prize money for one student and one adult winner for best poster. Winners must be Patrick County residents. Winning posters will be printed and used in promotional material for the month of April during our Pick Up Patrick Campaign as well as beyond that month to continue to encourage people not to litter. Deadline for poster entry is March 31, 2023.
All clubs, teams, and organizations that register on the Chamber’s website to clean up an area will be entered into a contest to win $500. One award per group and there are twelve awards to be offered. All individuals who register on the Chamber’s website to clean up in their area will be entered into a random drawing to win $500 with Stuart Rotary matching their winnings as a donation to a local charity of the winner’s choice.
New this year is the Tire Take Back Event. This event is in partnership with the Patrick County Transfer Station and will be held on Saturday, April 22nd, 1pm to 5pm at the Patrick County Transfer Station. Disposal fees for tires will be waived for Patrick County residents disposing of up to 12 tires per vehicle. Restrictions for this event are limited to 12 tires per residential vehicle. No businesses and no trash disposal will be available at that time.
Research shows 90% of Americans think that litter is a problem, according to the 2020 Keep America Beautiful National Litter Survey. Another part of the study shows that littering is often accompanied by a pack mentality, meaning that people who have friends who litter are more likely to litter themselves.
“The visual blight that it has on the landscape takes away the beauty and thus drives our tourists away. Littering is bad period!” said James Houchins, Director of Tourism and Marketing for Patrick County.
Other notes of importance from the survey reflect there are over 50 billion pieces of litter on the ground in America. That equates to 2,857 pieces per mile of roadway and 2,411 pieces per mile of waterway.
For more information or to register on any of the Pick Up Patrick sponsored events, visit the chamber website at www.patrickchamber.com or call the office at 276-694-6012.
Our new and improved Pick Up Patrick Campaign for the month of April would not be possible without our partners: EMI Security, Rotary Club of Stuart, and the Patrick County Greenteam, and Patrick County Tourism. We will be offering monetary donations for clubs, groups, and organizations to pick up trash as well as other events in April. Remember, Love our county, don’t trash it!
