Annual PRIDE Cumberland Falls Cleanup set for Saturday morning

If you are looking to get some fresh air and some exercise Saturday while enjoying nature and making your environment a little cleaner, then you might want to head down to Cumberland Falls State Resort Park for the annual Eastern Kentucky Personal Responsibility in a Desirable Environment (PRIDE) Spring Cleanup.

Last year 270 volunteers picked up 700 bags of trash in addition to various other items, including 48 tires, a freezer and a plastic wading pool among other things.

The prior year volunteers picked up more than 600 bags of trash.

Saturday’s cleanup will take place from 9 a.m. – noon. Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the gift shop. Areas to be picked up include along Highway 90 and other roads near Cumberland Falls.

It should be noted that bragging rights are on the line Saturday for this annual clean-up, which takes place near the Whitley-McCreary County line.

The Volunteer Cup trophy will be presented to the county with the most volunteers participating.

A plaque will be awarded to the school group or community group that brings the most volunteers. A $100 cash prize will go to the largest community group from McCreary County and Whitley County.

Volunteers, who don’t pre-register, can register the day of at three locations, including the gift shop at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.

The McCreary County volunteer station is located at the dollar store at the intersection of Highway 90 and US27. The Whitley County volunteer station is located at a vacant store at mile marker 0.4 on Highway 90.

All volunteers should dress appropriately for working outdoors in the weather that morning. Sturdy shoes are recommended. PRIDE will provide trash bags, disposable gloves and safety vests.

This year’s event is being held in partnership with Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Eastern Kentucky PRIDE, the McCreary County Fiscal Court 109 Board, the Whitley County Fiscal Court, the U.S. Forest Service, the McCreary County Extension Service, the McCreary County Board of Education, the Whitley County School District, the Whitley County Tourist Commission, the Corbin Tourism and Convention Commission, Sheltowee Trace Outfitters, and the Pine Knot Job Corps.

Outdoor Venture Corporation is the sponsor for this year’s cleanup.

For more information, contact PRIDE toll free at (888) 577-4339, or at (606) 677-6150, or e-mail them at pride@centertech.com.

The PRIDE initiative was launched in 1997 by Congressman Hal Rogers and the late General James Bickford the former Secretary of the Kentucky Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet. Their vision was to restore the natural beauty of their native region by encouraging citizens to take responsibility for protecting their environment and by providing the education and resources they need to do so.