Frank Lewis

PDT Staff Writer

The Scioto County Health Coalition is looking for volunteers to help local efforts to clean up the city’s gateway routes, U.S. 23 and U.S. 52.

Craig Gilliland, Scioto County Health Coalition Community Initiatives Subcommittee Chairman, said he has been contacting businesses along the corridor and has already picked up commitments from several of them, including Glockners, Lute Supply, and Osco Industries.

This year’s event called “Reclaim 2013” will be March 28 and 29, tied to public schools spring break. Gilliland said he is looking for volunteers to claim the areas near their businesses and pick up any trash/litter near it on or prior to March 28 and 29.

To help assign unselected areas and put small groups or individuals together if need be, there will be a registration at 8:30 both mornings of March 28 and 29 at the Friends Community Center.

“I also hope to have neon green t-shirts made up for this event that will be handed out at the Friends (Community Center) while supplies last (if that happens) with a custom design for this annual event,” Gilliland said. “Let me know of the name and sizes so I can include it on a t-shirt if I am able to pull that piece off.”

Gilliland said those wishing to volunteer may call him at 740-356-8765 or 740-357-1015 to take on a section of Route 52 or Route 23 that has not already been selected so there can be 100 percent coverage of the ‘gateways.’ Gilliland said 60 bags of trash alone were collected this past weekend at undeveloped lots by Applebee’s in New Boston.

“It can be you as business or you as your family, church group, boy scout troop, Little League team, whatever group you want to be,” Gilliland said. “Likewise, hopefully you can dispose of trash yourself – if not, you can either – put it on a sidewalk on 52 or 23 and city will pick on Thursday, March 28 after 3 p.m. or contact me for other arrangements.”

He said he is also asking volunteers to record the number of bags and hours so the committee can calculate a grand total for the event to publicize and report those numbers to him.

“We will make a difference and we will improve the appearance of our community,” Gilliland said. “If you need trash bags or gloves contact me – hopefully you can supply your own.”

The Scioto County Health Coalition was formed several months prior by local and state elected leaders along with local health care providers to improve collaboration and the overall health of Scioto County. Scioto County ranks near the bottom of the state in most health indicators published by the state. Updated health indicator rankings will be in the Sunday edition of the Daily Times.

The Community Initiatives Subcommittee is one of several subcommittees of the Health Coalition that is tasked with improving the appearance of Scioto County via community service projects.

Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 252, or at flewis@civitasmedia.com.