Published: May 12, 2008 12:41 pm            

Community effort means a cleaner city

City streets and alleys have been swamped for the past week with people doing a major spring cleaning on McAlester, demonstrating their Pride in McAlester.

From McAlester High School students to businesses to the individuals who live in each ward, people have turned out in full force for the month-long grassroots efforts to beautify and clean McAlester.

“MHS students did a fantastic job last Monday after school picking up litter on and around 10 different streets, Oak Hill Cemetery and Burgundy Place,” Carol Bishop, Pride in McAlester Committee secretary/treasurer, said.

“In addition, they picked up three refrigerators, two old lawn mowers, a freezer, a table — and cleaned out an entire garage for an elderly lady.

“We can’t tell you how proud we are of these students. Taking part was the MHS Service Learning class, the Pom Squad, varsity and junior varsity cheer leaders, the band, the FCCLA Leadership class, the girls basketball team, the Peppers, wrestlers, Vo-Ag and the football team.

“In addition, they have made a commitment to Pride in McAlester to do this each fall and spring.”

Bishop said the youth group from Grand Avenue United Methodist Church is “still working diligently, as are lots of individuals from all over McAlester. Fourth Ward has come together in an effort to clean up their streets and have someone assigned to every street in that ward.

“We are still looking for volunteers to pick up unwanted items for those citizens who have no way to transport that kind of thing. The McAlester United Way, 423-6677, has been a great help, taking telephone messages.”

Yvette Martin, executive director of the local United Way, said cell phone users can call the organization’s 211 number, but that land line users are experiencing difficulty.

But, she said, call whichever number you can, and she will coordinate volunteers with people who need help taking part in Pride in McAlester.

Nearly every business and individual in McAlester is wanting to take part in the clean-up efforts, all the way from attending meetings to actually picking up trash.

“Representatives from Wal-Mart and the McAlester Chamber of Commerce attended the meeting Thursday to tell us about Wal-Mart’s recycling program,” Bishop said. “They want to share their knowledge with other businesses around McAlester in an effort to get more businesses to start programs such as theirs.

“It is profitable for the business, and great for us, since we have a place to take our plastic for recycling. Pride in McAlester will be working with the city of McAlester to get a permanent location to take items for recycling instead of using the landfill for this purpose.”

        

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