Help beautify St. Charles Parish in October

St. Charles Parish is encouraging volunteer groups, schools, families and individuals to help clean and beautify the parish this Oct. through its ongoing Trash Bash initiative.

"Trash Bash Week," (the first week in October) will not only kick off a month-long effort to clean roadside litter, but also to spruce up private yards, homes and businesses throughout the parish. Volunteers will decide which areas they wish to clean, and they are asked to prepare for working outside by bringing water and other needed supplies.

This revamped fall version of the cleanup will not feature an after-celebration, but volunteers will be eligible to win valuable prizes in an online photo contest sponsored by the Trash Bash committee.

How It Works

Groups or individuals wishing to participate must sign up at www.scptrashbash.org using the form provided to be entered into the contest. Participants then have until midnight Oct. 31 to e-mail photos of their project to publicinfo@stcharlesgov.net.

Before and after photos and action photos are encouraged. During the first week in November, all entries will be posted to the Trash Bash Facebook page at www.facebook.com/scptrashbash with a full description of each project. After a period of five days after the posting date, the project with the most "likes" associated with its photo will win the inaugural Fall Trash Bash Photo Contest.

Prizes to be awarded will be announced during the month of October.

Keep in mind that Trash Bash is also a great way for students to gain service hours required by their schools, churches or community organizations. Group leaders can receive service hour certificates by e-mailing publicinfo@stcharlesgov.net or calling (985) 783-5182.

In March, 122 volunteers filled approximately 42 garbage bags with roadside litter across the parish as part of the fourth annual spring "Trash Bash" event. The event helps the parish accomplish its goal to promote a parish that is safe, environmentally conscious and provides cultural and aesthetic enjoyments.

For more information about "Trash Bash" and household and hazardous waste recycling opportunities, visit www.scptrashbash.org.