Operation Pride returns April 20
The City of Harrisburg and Saline County in partnership with the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Hardin County Work Camp announce the revitalization of Operation Pride.
Operation Pride was a project that began several years ago as a spring clean-up along the Southern Illinois highways. In the past, this project permitted inmates from the Hardin County Work Camp to clean-up area roadways by picking up over 5,000 bags of trash over a five day period. For the reason of state budget cuts and the lack of manpower, the project dissipated. The inmates were able to recycle some of the trash and donated the money collected to St. Jude's Hospital. This year, Operation Pride is back and all proceeds will be donated to the 4 C's a local food pantry, according to a release from the city.
"The city of Harrisburg is very excited and appreciative to have the program back," Harrisburg Mayor Dale Fowler said, in a prepared release. "The timing could not be better with our proactive stance with our city wide revitalization project. That is why it is with great eagerness that we are grateful for the upcoming involvement of the Hardin County Work Camp and Illinois Department of Transportation to clean up the community of Saline County, Illinois, beginning the week of Monday, April 20, 2015, through Friday, April 24, 2015."
Additionally, IYC Harrisburg youth work crew will be assisting on Wednesday April 22nd which is Earth Day. Bulldog Systems will be donating dumpsters and trash haul off.
The Kick Off will begin at 8 a.m. at the Buddy Pool motor's parking lot in Harrisburg. Dignitaries from the county will be present to start the campaign.
The bags of trash will be collected and displayed in the empty lot in front of Pool Motors so the community can visualize the progress.
The crews will be working state Routes 13, U.S. Route 45 and state Route 145. Motorists are encouraged to be careful while passing the work crews and to show appreciation by waving a "Thank You" as you pass by.