Authored By seanphippster

Organizers are seeking projects and volunteers for an annual day of cleanup next month.

Clean & Green will take place April 29 from 8 a.m. to noon.

The event has taken place since 2011, and in that time, 4,000 volunteers have helped remove litter and graffiti. Additionally, 6,400 bags of trash have been hauled off, and graffiti has been removed from 110 buildings, monuments and city infrastructure. Fifty-five blocks and multiple neighborhoods have been cleaned eight times.

Volunteers can register to participate here.

“Volunteering for Clean & Green has become an annual staple for many in our community,” Amy Donahue, director of marketing and communication for River City Co., said. “There are always many projects and needs to tackle … and it’s amazing to see how much our community can get done during the event.”

Each year, Clean & Green focuses on several special projects. In 2016, projects included landscaping at Normal Park Museum Magnet School, garden and planting projects at Hart Gallery and Little Miss Mag, a playground cleanup at Siskin Children’s Institute, a community mural and garden at the downtown YMCA, and more.

Special project requests can be made before March 10 here.

“It’s a great opportunity for nonprofits [and] small businesses to get TLC that they might not be able to afford or have the manpower to do,” Donahue said. “Also, if anyone in the community notices a troublesome spot-litter, graffiti, etc.-we can take care of it nine times out of 10 during Clean & Green.”