Great Indy Cleanup Kickoff picked up 500,000 pounds of litter in one day!

INDIANAPOLIS – Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc.’s (KIB) kicked off its annual Great Indy Cleanup program in partnership with the City of Indianapolis on Saturday. 90 neighborhood groups with a total of 3,200 volunteers rid the city’s streets, alleyways and waterways of half a million pounds of litter.

Clean ups were part of a year-long effort that engages hundreds of neighborhood groups. In 2009, KIB volunteers picked up a total of 3,000,000 pounds of litter April-October.

Mayor Ballard joined volunteers on the West Side at 38th & High School who painted murals and who found all sorts of interesting trash in Mud Creek, including a used treadmill and doors. Mayor Ballard also visited efforts at Felege Hiywot Center in the Martindale Brightwood neighborhood, where volunteers cleaned up litter, planted 50 trees and created a community garden.

Volunteers came from all parts of Indianapolis, participating as individuals in Every Litter Bit Helps or as a part of church groups, scout groups, banks and much more.

“We are so grateful to have so many wonderful partners,” said David Forsell, KIB President. “We truly couldn’t accomplish these results alone. With the help of the City of Indianapolis and thousands of volunteers, we are able to truly transform the landscape of our community.”

About Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc.:
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. (KIB) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit engaging neighborhoods in environmental and community improvement projects throughout the city. Last year, KIB engaged over 40,000 volunteers on projects around the city. The mission of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. is to unite people to build community and transform public spaces through aesthetic and environmental improvement. To learn more, visit www.kibi.org.

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