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If you enjoy helping your community and spending time outdoors, the Great American Cleanup in Covington is an opportunity to do both. This annual event, one of the city's largest volunteer initiatives, will take place on Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to noon. Organized by Keep Covington Beautiful, a program affiliated with The Center for Great Neighborhoods, and in partnership with the City of Covington’s Solid Waste & Recycling and Urban Forestry Divisions, the event is expected to draw hundreds of volunteers.
Tasks for volunteers include picking up trash, yard debris, and participating in activities like graffiti removal, painting, and planting flowers. Locations for the cleanup include popular spots such as the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky and Hellmann Creative Center, among others.
Mayor Ron Washington plans to declare the day as “Great American Cleanup Day” in The Cov. This initiative has been an ongoing city-supported effort aimed at enhancing the local quality of life through litter prevention, beautification, and recycling.
Jameela Saalah, Director of Program Impact with the Center for Great Neighborhoods, remarked, "We're grateful to see the community come together in support of keeping Covington beautiful. The Great American Cleanup is one of our largest events each year, both in terms of volunteer turnout and cleanup sites. I’m continually amazed by what we’re able to accomplish together through this event."
Locals who wish to volunteer can still register to be assigned to any of the available cleanup sites. The event also receives support from Rumpke Waste and Recycling, which, along with the city, provides necessary tools and supplies.
In addition to general beautification efforts, the event promotes pollinator protection. In 2017, the city joined the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge, aiming to restore habitats for monarch butterflies. As part of this initiative, Covington Parks and Recreation will host several educational events starting in June to increase awareness about pollinator conservation.
For those interested in volunteering with Covington’s pollinator gardens, volunteers are needed year-round for maintenance work. Interested individuals should contact Haley Snook at the Parks and Recreation department via email at haley.snook@covingtonky.gov.
