BY PHILLIP PINA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Greater Cincinnati's spring cleaning attracted more than 9,000 people Saturday morning.
Volunteers throughout the region cleared garbage from area parks, streets and neighborhoods as part of the fourth annual Glad Bag-A-Thon.
In all, 610,360 pounds of litter were collected, said Byron Stallworth, who organized the cleanup for Keep Cincinnati Beautiful. He praised the efforts of the 9,286 volunteers.
"They demonstrated that clean neighborhoods are important to them," Mr. Stallworth said.
The litter, which was sent to a landfill, filled several dump trucks, he said. Also collected were 4,661 tires, which were to be recycled.
Volunteers were spread throughout the region, with about 165 groups organizing cleanups in 55 area communities, including Cincinnati, Covington and Lincoln Heights.
The effort will continue later this week. Several Cincinnati neighborhoods decided to combine their Bag-A-Thon cleanup with Cincinnati Public School's (CPS) spring cleanup, planned for the morning of April 25.
The CPS cleanup is in its third year and is held at each city school. Volunteers will collect litter around schools, paint walls, plant trees and wash desks.
The Glad Bag-A-Thon is the nation's largest litter cleanup. This is the program's 13th year and involves more than 100 cities nationwide.
Last year, Keep Cincinnati Beautiful was recognized nationally for its Bag-A-Thon campaign, including an award for outstanding efforts in building a partnership.
