Mayor's Day Clean-Up set for Saturday

Volunteers will take a few hours of their time Saturday to help spruce up Havre’s downtown area.

The Mayor’s Day Clean-Up will begin at 10 a.m. on Town Square. Participants will meet there before fanning out to prune shrubs and pick up trash scattered along 1st Street.

The cleanup is being organized to mark Mayor and County Recognition Day for National Service, which honors community service.

AmeriCorps, a federal service and learning program that engages on issues of education in high-risk areas, environmental stewardship and disaster preparedness and relief efforts throughout the country, is behind the cleanup.

Alex Jones, coordinator of the cleanup and an AmeriCorps volunteer, said the Mayor and County Recognition Day of National Service is observed in cities, counties and tribal communities throughout the country.

It is usually marked by a mayor or community leader reading a proclamation commending AmeriCorps volunteers for their efforts.

But this year, Jones said they wanted to do something that would raise AmeriCorps’ profile in the community.

“We decided to branch out from the more traditional mayor proclamation and do something a little bit more involved with the community, largely because I don’t think that a lot of people know that we are here, and don’t know what we are doing,” Jones said.

She said organizers hope to provide a snack to participants.

Jones said that, so far, 20 people have signed up in advance, but those who want to take part can do so by just showing up the day of the event.

Those who wish to sign up in advance or would like more information can call Jones at 406-262-5920.

According to the AmeriCorps website, Montana produces more AmeriCorps members per capita than any other state.

Jones said the large number comes from the state’s vast stretches of public lands, which its members often help maintain.

She said it is probably cheaper to have AmeriCorps volunteers do this work than to pay professionals to manage that land.