Keep Elkhart Beautiful to Participate in Don’t Mess With Texas Trash-off

By Sarah Naron

Messenger Reporter

ELKHART – The members of Keep Elkhart Beautiful, Inc. are seeking volunteers interested in participating alongside the organization in the Don’t mess with Texas Trash-off ® set for Saturday, April 7.

“The Don’t mess With Texas ® Trash-off is the single largest one-day cleanup event in the state and is part of the partnership between Keep Texas Beautiful and the Texas Department of Transportation,” explained Keep Elkhart Beautiful Treasurer Kristy McWright. “The program supports efforts to clear Texas roadsides of trash.”

As Keep Elkhart Beautiful President Rosemary Biel explained, the cleanup efforts will get underway at 10 a.m.

“We have invited a few groups – the middle school; the fire department, some of those members helped us last year,” said Biel. “It’s prom day, so we don’t expect the senior high to be involved.”

According to Biel, areas of the city which will be addressed during the cleanup include Gammage Street and Jones Street.

“If we have enough people, we will go to the Montgomery area this year,” she said. “It depends on how many volunteers.”

During the 2017 trash-off, eight adults and six students volunteered their time to work with the Keep Elkhart Beautiful members.

Merchandise advertising Keep Elkhart Beautiful will be sold as a means of fundraising for the organization.

“We have inventory, and we haven’t been able to sell a lot of it, so if people give us donations, they can choose from the inventory that we have,” explained Biel. “(We have) cups, hats, pens, key chains, T-shirts.”

A contribution of $10 to $20 is suggested for those interested in acquiring a T-shirt.

In addition to participating in the trash-off, Keep Elkhart Beautiful works to brighten up the city by maintaining planters in the downtown area. Recycling bins for aluminum cans are provided by the organization at sporting events such as football games and track meets.

The members also take time to recognize residents of the city who do their part to aid in efforts to help the city keep a pristine appearance.

“We have hand-delivered thank-you’s to people who take care of their lawns and property,” Biel explained.

In the event that Saturday’s event is rained out, the trash-off will take place Saturday, April 28 beginning at 10 a.m.

For more information, contact Biel at 903-948-8148.

Sarah Naron may be reached via email at [email protected].