200,000 Texans Volunteer for Trash-Off
- 03.28.06
200,000 Texans Volunteer for State's Largest One-Day Cleanup Trash-Off Launches Statewide Don't Mess with Texas “Trash and Treasure Hunt”
(AUSTIN, Texas)—From an El Paso schoolteacher to a Colleyville city councilmember, people across Texas are gearing up for the Don't Mess with Texas Trash-Off on April 1, when approximately 200,000 volunteers will participate in one of the nation's largest one-day litter cleanup events.
“Trash-Off has tremendous support in cities across Texas, yet we still hope to recruit new and energetic volunteers, especially as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Don't Mess with Texas,” said Doris Howdeshell, Travel Division director for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). “Trash-Off will lead the way for upcoming special events and contests, where Texans can come together again to clean up our state and win significant prizes.”
Don't Mess with Texas “Trash and Treasure Hunt”
Trash-Off will launch the first-ever Don't Mess with Texas “Trash and Treasure Hunt,” commemorating the 20th anniversary of the campaign. Southwest Airlines, La Quinta, McDonald's and Coca-Cola are sponsors of the “Trash and Treasure Hunt,” which challenges Texans to volunteer at one of 25 community cleanups around the state. The locations will be unveiled the day of Trash-Off, April 1, and the events will take place between April 29 and August 13. While picking up litter, volunteers will have the opportunity to find hidden prizes, including vouchers for Southwest Airlines tickets. Visit www.DontMessWithTexas20.org on April 1 for the list of dates, locations and newly added prizes.
Don't Mess with Texas Trash-Off Volunteers
Every year, Trash-Off brings together citizens around the state for the annual cleanup:
–Colleyville City Councilmember Rich Hendler is a longtime Trash-Off participant and volunteers every year to help keep his community litter-free.
–Elementary school teacher Patti Garcia of El Paso oversees an environmental club with 200 members ranging from kindergarten through 6th grade.
“The Texas Trash-Off has been one of our school's favorite events for the past 12 years,” said Garcia. “Knowing that we are working in partnership with volunteers across the state makes us even more aware we're united in our dream of a cleaner, healthier and more beautiful world.”
–Lonnie Simmons of Allen has been involved with Trash-Off for 14 years. He has recruited other volunteers over the years and is now the chief traffic control and safety person on site during Allen's annual event.
–A 66-year-old resident of Bryan, Texas, is marking his sixth year as a Trash-Off volunteer. Jay Pritchard first participated while he was in a wheel chair after suffering a stroke. At that time, Pritchard cleaned up trash on the side of a busy farm road using a litter grabber. He has served every year since.
“People who volunteer for Trash-Off are often surprised by how the experience moves them,” said Keep Texas Beautiful President Lynn Lantrip. “Usually volunteers return again the following year because they feel so good about what they're doing. Of course, we couldn't do it without our volunteers.”
Don't Mess with Texas Trash-Off
The Don't Mess with Texas Trash-Off is a partnership between the Texas Department of Transportation and Keep Texas Beautiful. The public is invited to participate in Trash-Off by signing up online at www.ktb.org or by contacting your local TxDOT district office at www.texasaah.org to adopt a stretch of highway.
The Don't Mess with Texas Trash-Off began in 1986 to encourage the public to refrain from littering for one designated day. Each year, approximately 830 million pieces of litter accumulate on Texas' roadways, and today, litter pickup costs taxpayers approximately $36 million annually. Paid contractors clean 90 percent of these roadways, with groups such as Adopt-a-Highway volunteers doing the rest.
Don't Mess with Texas 20th Anniversary
As part of a new media campaign, TxDOT debuted the “Real Texans Don't Litter” television public service announcements (PSA) in January as a springboard for the Don't Mess with Texas 20th Anniversary. The PSAs feature some of Texas' most recognized celebrities including Lance Armstrong, Erykah Badu, Ray Benson, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Julius Jones, Los Lonely Boys, Matthew McConaughey, Chuck Norris, Janine Turner, Owen Wilson and Lee Ann Womack. Ads will run again during the “Trash and Treasure Hunt” statewide tour.
Southwest Airlines, McDonald's and the AT&T Cotton Bowl are proud sponsors of the Don't Mess with Texas 20th Anniversary.
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