Participants LOVE this Program!!

Both Businesses and residents feel this program is something every community should have.

Editor's Note: These are letters to the editor from North Carolina Anti-Litter Campaign (FB) participants who want to thank the businesses who support this program and to encourage others to learn about and participate in this program. If you live outside of this area, contact your city and county officials and ask them to develop a program in your area.

Gary & Bobbie Kennedy

Dear Editor,

2020 “Cash-4-Trash Effort #11”

I would like to thank the North Carolina Litter-Free Coalition for their “Cash-4-Trash Program” and Greg and Cindy Bradshaw, Murphy, NC for providing the $100 funding for our “Cash-4-Trash” efforts.

We believe that the businesses participating in this program give those wishing to earn their funding an opportunity to contribute to their community by reducing litter.

It is our hope that the Cherokee Scout and Clay County Progress will publish my photos and comments so that others might consider participation in the “Cash-4-Trash Program” by contacting Gary Chamberlain, North Carolina Litter-Free Coalition, FolksvilleUSA@gmail.com or call him at (928) 202-1186 (AZ cell) as we have done.

I am submitting the seven questions and answers that were part of the “Cash-4-Trash Program” requirements for others to reflect upon.

1) What are you doing?

We are doing our part to add on to the initiative of making Gods creation more presentable for all to see.

2) Why are you doing it?

For the satisfaction of cleaning up a small part of our world and being rewarded with a few dollars that we can pay forward in this time of need.

3) Who benefits from your efforts?

Everyone in the community as a whole and a secret young mother.

4) Why do you want others to do what you are doing?

Although we think the money may be an originating factor, the awareness will bring awareness and awareness will bring change.

5) Where did you pick up litter?

The area surrounding Johnsonville Rd Murphy NC.

6) What are the most common items you found?

We found LOTS of aluminum cans and glass bottles.

7) What would you like others to know about your anti-litter effort?

That this is the perfect opportunity to honor God and community while receiving a community sponsored thank you.

Sincerely Yours,

Gary and Bobbie Kennedy

Road Warriors

Slideshow of their day of cleaning up!

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Carl Dreher

2020 “Cash-4-Trash #10” goes to Clay County, NC

I would like to thank the North Carolina Litter-Free Coalition for their “Cash-4-Trash Program” and Mr. Ed Ashe – General Manager, Jacky Jones Chrysler – Dodge – Jeep, Hayesville, NC for providing the $100 funding for my “Cash-4-Trash” efforts.

I believe that the businesses participating in this program give those wishing to earn their funding an opportunity to contribute to their community by reducing litter.

It is my hope that the Cherokee Scout and Clay County Progress will publish my photos and comments so that others might consider participation in the “Cash-4-Trash Program” by contacting Gary Chamberlain, North Carolina Litter-Free Coalition, FolksvilleUSA@gmail.com or call him at (928) 202-1186 (AZ cell) as we have done.

A friend sent me a notice about the "Cash-4-Trash Program" and this is my story about my participation. I've been doing trash sweeps on Old Hwy 64 from Brasstown Rd. to the intersection of Hwy 64 at Peachtree. I've been doing a sweep about every four months for the past five years, usually solo, but sometimes with a friend or two. I've also done Settawig Rd. twice. I'm well known by the men at the NCDOT facility in Hayesville, where they give me bags, red vests and sometimes, a pair of large "SLOW" traffic warning signs on poles that I can set out. After the sweep, the bags are left at the gravel lot next to the Brasstown Fire Dept, whereupon I call NCDOT and they come pick them up. I just completed another solo sweep this past weekend; 3 hours on Saturday and 4 hours on Sunday. Attached is a photo of the results. I ran out of orange NCDOT bags and ended up filled a normal black trash bag plus a 55-gallon contractor bag. By the way, I also retrieved a bumper pool table and a poker table that someone had dumped on the side of the road. All of this is still in the gravel lot next to the Brasstown Fire Dept on Old Hwy 64 near the intersection of 64 and Brasstown Rd. I am submitting the seven questions and answers that were part of the “Cash-4-Trash Program” requirements for others to reflect upon.

1) What are you doing? Cleaning up about 2.5 miles of Old Hwy 64, and sometimes, Settawig. Settawig is very treacherous, with very little shoulder, so I only do that when I can fine two helpers to hold "SLOW" warning signs at each end of a section. 2) Why you are doing it? I was on the Board of Directors for the JCC Folk School for 6 years and still teach there. I hate it that visitors to our beautiful campus have to see how poor some locals treat the land. Old Hwy 64 and Settawig Rd. are the two main ways of getting to the Folk School, so I concentrate on them. In the past, I did litter recovery the week before major events at the Folk School, such as Fall Festival, when we have more than 11,000 visitors. Sometimes the Folk School director, along with a half dozen staff, join me. 3) Who benefits from your efforts? Who doesn't?!!! But mainly, visitors to the school....and anyone who if offended by the sight of trash on our beautiful land. 4) Why do you want others to do what you are doing?

We live in the most beautiful place on earth. Trashing it is a disgrace and reflects so poorly on us. 5) Where did you picked up litter (name the locations and number of bags at each location)?

Old Hwy 64 from Peachtree up to Brasstown Rd., and occasionally beyond and including Settawig Rd. I usually fill the back of my pickup with bags, and often with other items such as tires and construction debris that blows out of trucks. 6) What are the most common items you found?

Beer cans (especially Bud Light...what is it about Bud Light drinkers?...), clear water bottles, soda bottles, fast food drink cups, fast food Styrofoam take-out containers, fast food bags, Bootlegger Whiskey bottle, lottery tickets. 7) What would you like others to know about your anti-litter effort? God hates litterbugs. (Well, at least I think so.) With the funding from the "Cash for Trash Program”, I will purchase two 55 gallon metal barrels and place them (1) at the top of the hill on Hwy 64 just before Peachtree, where people like to have lunch and then throw their fast food refuse out the window, and (2) at the pull-off locations on Hwy 64 that has a trail down to the Hiwassee river. For some reason, the latter is often used as a dump.

My plan is to purchase and put a 55-gallon contractor bag in each barrel and empty them once a week in troubled areas. The barrels will be labeled "TRASH" and sign asking people to leave the land better than they found it. All this assumes I will obtain permission from the NCDOT Hwy Dept., but I'm fairly certain they will agree. They are always VERY appreciative of anyone who does work for them that they would have to do.

I hope my message will inspire others to participate in this effort. Sincerely,

Carl Dreher

Road Warrior

Blue Ridge Mountains News invites participants to reach out to us so your story can be shared. This program should be available in every county in every state. In order for that to happen, please speak up & share!

Blue Ridge Mountains News - Fannin County, GA

3139 Blue Ridge Dr.

Blue Ridge, GA 30513

www.BlueRidgeMountainsNews.com

Photos provided by North Carolina Litter-Free Coalition