"Last year, over 1,100 volunteers collected more than 33 tons of litter and debris that had been accumulating all winter from 75 miles of streets and roads in Winnebago County," said Frank Manzullo, KNIB's litter control coordinator. Photo provided

From press release

LOVES PARK, Ill.—Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful (KNIB) reminds area residents that the deadline to register for this year’s Great American Cleanup is Friday, April 16. The Great American Cleanup will be from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 24.

Frank Manzullo, KNIB’s litter control coordinator, said: “Keeping our city streets and neighborhoods clean and litter free is a year-round job. However, each spring near Earth Day, Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful, along with Winnebago County and the City of Rockford, coordinate the local effort of the national Keep America Beautiful program. We encourage everyone to sign up to clean their neighborhoods.

“Last year, over 1,100 volunteers collected more than 33 tons of litter and debris that had been accumulating all winter from 75 miles of streets and roads in Winnebago County,” Manzullo added. “Since this is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, we would like to see 2,000 volunteers out cleaning on April 24.”

Groups or individuals interested in participating in the Great American Cleanup need to register for their supplies by April 16. There are 14 supply distribution sites located throughout Winnebago County for those participating to get gloves, safety vests, garbage bags and litter tongs. County locations include: Cherry Valley Township, Durand Fire Department, Harlem Town Hall, Loves Park City Hall, New Milford Village Hall, Pecatonica Township, Rockton Village Green Park and the Winnebago County Highway Department.

City of Rockford locations include: Patriots’ Gateway Center, House of Refuge Church and the Riverside Community Banks at the Perryville Banking Center, Harrison Banking Center, State Street Banking Center and the Route 173 Banking Center.

Supplies may be picked up from 8 to 9 a.m., Saturday, April 24, at these locations. Volunteers should then clean up their designated area from 9 a.m. to noon. A volunteer appreciation luncheon is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. at Patriots’ Gateway Center.

To register for supplies and the luncheon, go to www.knib.org ^[1] for a registration form or contact KNIB at (815) 637-1343.

From the April 7-13, 2010 issue