Volunteers needed for 2014 Great American Cleanup

SARASOTA COUNTY – Keep Sarasota County Beautiful is seeking volunteers to join forces with friends and neighbors for the 2014 Great American Cleanup, 8 a.m.-noon, Saturday, March 22, at sites throughout Sarasota County. In case of rain, the cleanup will be Saturday, March 29.

The nation's largest organized cleanup, beautification and community-improvement program is built on a foundation of individual responsibility and civic pride. Across the nation, millions of volunteers in more than15,000 communities participate in more than 30,000 community improvement events to clean local parks, waterways, trails, sidewalks and streets.

For more than 20 years the Great American Cleanup has made a positive impact on Sarasota County by creating a cleaner, safer and more beautiful environment. "Volunteers make a huge impact on the cleanliness of our community," said Wendi Crisp, program coordinator of Keep Sarasota County Beautiful. "We see neighbors, youth and adult civic associations, schools, churches and individuals taking pride in their community and coming together during the Great American Cleanup to help rid Sarasota County of unsightly litter."

Volunteers can choose to participate at more than 25 parks, beaches, natural areas and other sites across Sarasota County. T-shirts, complimentary trash bags and work gloves will be provided to the first 1,000 volunteers who register. The 2014 Great American Cleanup is made possible through the support of corporate sponsors, including the Dow Chemical Co., Gatorade, Glad Products Co., LG, Nestle Pure Life, PepsiCo, Solo Cup Co., Troy-Bilt, Waste Management Inc. and the William Wrigley Jr. Co.

To register for this year's cleanup, visit Keep Sarasota County Beautiful's website or contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 and ask for Keep Sarasota County Beautiful.