The Center for Rural Development President and CEO Lonnie Lawson, surrounded by staff members, accepts a plaque and Eastern Redbud tree from Tammie Wilson, vice president of PRIDE, for being one of five local organizations to have the largest number of volunteers participate in this year's third annual PRIDE Clean Sweep of U.S. 27.
The Center for Rural Development has been recognized by Eastern Kentucky PRIDE (Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment) for having one of the largest volunteer groups to participate in this year’s third annual PRIDE Clean Sweep of U.S. 27.
PRIDE vice president Tammie Wilson presented Lonnie Lawson, president and CEO of The Center, and members of The Center’s staff with a plaque and Eastern Redbud tree for their volunteer service.
The Center was one of five local volunteer groups to have the largest number of volunteers participate in the annual spring cleanup of U.S. 27 on April 1. The Center’s staff picked up trash and debris along U.S. 27 from the entrance of The Center at Traffic Light 15 down to Traffic Light 16.
“The Center is proud to work with PRIDE, one of our affiliates, to make our community a cleaner place to live and raise a family,” Lawson said. “We salute U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers’ (KY-05) efforts to beautify the region and empower people throughout the region to take PRIDE in their communities.”
During the PRIDE Clean Sweep, a total of 503 volunteers collected 522 bags of trash, 21 tires and one couch along U.S. 27 in Somerset and Burnside and on Monticello Street, Grand Central Avenue, Lakeview Drive, Norwood Road, Old Salts Road, and downtown Somerset streets.
“Our busiest road is now ready to welcome visitors who travel here for Lake Cumberland, Somernites Cruise, and many, many other attractions,” Wilson said of U.S. 27. “Tourism is vital to our local economy, so it’s important that visitors aren’t distracted by trash when they come to town.”
Besides The Center, other groups recognized for having the largest number of volunteers at PRIDE Clean Sweep included: Somerset High School, Somerset Community College, Kentucky Department of Transportation – District 8, and South Kentucky RECC.
The 2011 PRIDE Spring Cleanup Month is one of the largest events hosted by PRIDE, which serves 38 counties in Southern and Eastern Kentucky.
