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.

           With a generous donation by EMI Security, the Chamber will be able to encourage participation through monetary awards. 

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 ten awards to be offered. 

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, the Patrick County Greenteam, and Patrick County Tourism. “Love our county, don’t trash it!”