NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 11, 1997

CARY CLEAN-UP

PLANNED FOR SATURDAY

CARY -- As many as 50 people may turn out this weekend to help make Cary look a little better to its residents and to its visitors. On Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., the Town of Cary will kick off the revival of its "Adopt-A-Site" program by coordinating the clean-up of portions of the community. The project is being held in conjunction with North Carolina’s "Litter Sweep" effort, being held statewide September 8-22, 1997.

"We’re very excited about Saturday’s event," said Cary Recycling Coordinator Wendy Worley. "It’s the first time in many years that the Town has organized this type of community-wide clean-up project," she added.

Cary’s "Adopt-A-Site" program actually began as a project coordinated by the Cary Clean Community Commission which was formed in 1986. That commission was eventually dissolved, its work being shifted to the Solid Waste Management Advisory Board in 1990.

Under "Adopt-A-Site", groups who wish to participate choose a Cary roadway, park, or greenway that they are interested in maintaining. The groups are required to perform at least four clean-ups of their area throughout the year. This year’s participants include the Friends of Page-Walker, Cary Central Rotary Club, First United Methodist Church’s UMYF, Tablets, and Cary Lions Club.

"‘Adopt-A-Site’ benefits are two-fold," said Town Manager Bill Coleman. "First, the appearance of the town is greatly enhanced. Second, and perhaps more importantly, citizen volunteers gain a sense of community pride through their efforts," he added. Town officials also believe that projects such as this help educate the public-at-large about the negative effects of litter on their town and the environment.

This Saturday, Cary’s "Adopt-A-Site" volunteers will remove litter at five locations: on E. Chatham Street from the welcome sign to Academy Street; at Godbold Park; around Page-Walker Arts & History Center; along Ashville Avenue; and at Lion’s Park. Workers will be wearing orange safety vests.

Each group has the option of separating recyclables as they are collected. "We’re encouraging them to pick out aluminum cans at a minimum," Worley said. Recyclables will be taken by the Town to the Citizen’s Convenience Center on Dixon Avenue or any of the other drop-off sites located at Wake County schools.

The workers will be honored with a reception at the Kiwanis shelter in Bond Park at noon following their morning clean-up activities.

Anyone interested in participating in Cary’s "Adopt-A-Site" program should call the Town of Cary’s Recycling Coordinator at 462-3873.

PRIMARY CONTACTS: Wendy Worley, Recycling Coordinator, 462-3873

Bill Coleman, Town Manager, 469-4002

Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, 460-4951

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