ROCHESTER'S SPRING CLEAN SWEEP BEGINS

CLEAN SWEEP 2007!

The Mayor is asking the community to again show their civic pride and come together to help clean up the city's streets. Volunteers are encouraged to sign up for one or more Saturday Sweeps, taking place rain or shine, 8:30 a.m. - noon, Saturdays, Apr. 28 - May 19.

During the Saturday Sweeps, volunteers get a Clean Sweep t-shirt, join together for coffee and donuts, get assigned to a team, receive their tools and then go out to beautify the streets. At noon, they'll meet up again for a picnic lunch. The City's show wagon stage and a large tent are set up and music plays throughout the morning, making for a fun and festive atmosphere.

Different city vendors are solicited each week to provide the goodies. This Saturday, breakfast will be provided by George's Bakery of S. Clinton Ave. and lunch will be catered by Unkl Moe's BBQ of West Ave. Starbucks of Monroe Ave. in the city  is donating coffee and RG&E is donating $12,000 to Clean Sweep for program expenses.

The Saturday Sweeps will take place 8:30 a.m. - noon at the following locations:
 
Apr. 28, Genesee Valley Park &131 Elmwood Ave. (southwest);

May 5, NET Area F Office, 500 Norton St. - at the old Silver Stadium site. (northeast);

May 12, Edgerton Park, 41 Backus St. (northwest);

May 19, East High School, 1801 E. Main St. (southeast).

Volunteers or neighborhood groups who would like to organize their own street or block projects during the week to collect litter, rake tree lawns or perform a special clean up or beautification project can call their local NET office. The City will provide suggested projects, tools and bags, mulch, soil and/or flowers for planting.

Those wishing to volunteer for one or more Saturday Sweeps may register by calling the 428-5990 or visiting www.cityofrochester.gov. Walk-ups on the morning of the Sweeps are also welcome. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and teams will hit the streets at nine. Volunteers are asked to wear appropriate clothing, including hard-soled shoesand long pants. Gloves and tools will be provided, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own, if possible.

UPDATE:

More than 700 volunteers have signed up to be a part of the year's first "Clean Sweep," tomorrow, 8:30 a.m., April 28 at Genesee Valley Park, 131 Elmwood Ave. The volunteers will be welcomed by the Mayor for coffee and donuts, get their t-shirts and tools and then head out in teams to clean up the city's southwest neighborhoods. City crews will be out in force supporting their efforts. Afterwards, participants will return for a picnic lunch at noon.

"Rochester's Clean Sweep...Showing Pride in Our City," is Mayor Robert J. Duffy's initiative designed to bring the entire community together to help give Rochester a "spring cleaning." Last year's spring Clean Sweep was so successful, a fall sweep was added and more than 5,000 volunteers picked up 1,500 tons of debris. Volunteers are still invited to sign up for any or all of the upcoming Sweeps by calling 428-5990 or visiting www.cityofrochester.gov.

SAVE THE DATE!

The Lyell-Otis area's Clean Sweep will be held on Saturday, May 12th. Please join us as we tidy up and help make our neighborhood even MORE BEAUTIFUL!