Dundalk Cleanups Still Need Volunteers

If you're looking for a way to spend Saturday outside on what is forecasted to be a beautiful day, and help your community and the environment at the same time, opportunities are plentiful.

Three local organizations are sponsoring community and environmental cleanups on Saturday, and more volunteers are always needed and welcome, according to organizers.

Clean Bread and Cheese Creek volunteers will work from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to clean up the section of the stream that runs from Merritt Boulevard to Plainfield Road.

This section of the creek is between two shopping centers and Merritt Boulevard, which contributes to both its waters and banks being choked with trash and debris, according to organizers.

The cleanup effort is in association with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay's Project Clean Stream event.

The group will meet at 2408 Plainfield Road in the morning and fan out from there.

Volunteers are still needed and welcome to join the effort, and many different and important jobs are available, depending on interest and physical abilities.

In addition to people who are willing to dig out big items like grocery carts and haul them to trash bins, volunteers are also needed to run water, food, tools and trash bags to folks in the creek.

Other tasks include sorting recyclable materials that are collected and staffing the grills used to cook lunch.

The organization is also authorized to sign off on community service learning hours for students.

For more information, visit the Clean Bread and Cheese Creek website.

The Dundalk Renaissance Corp. will also participate in Project Clean Stream on Saturday, concentrating on the St. Helena community and Chesterwood and Merritt Point parks, according to the organization's website.

Volunteers will meet at the St. Helena Community Building, 6509 Colgate Ave., beinning at 8 a.m. Saturday.

The cleanup effort will run from 9 a.m. to noon.

Workers will clean up Chesterwood, Merritt Point, St. Helena and Cimaglia parks, as well as along Ralls Avenue.

All helpers will be treated to a free light breakfast, lunch and T-shirt.

Cleaning supplies will be provided, but participates should dress to get dirty.

For more information, call Leah Bunck, 410-282-0261, or send an email to leah@dundalkusa.org.

The Back River Restoration Committee will hold cleanups in a variety of locations, including behind the North Point-Edgemere Volunteer Fire Department on North Point Road (between Sparrows Point High School and Food Lion).

Volunteers should bring work clothes and boots. The committee will supply bags, gloves, tools, drinks and light food.

The group will meet at the Essex Park and Ride and travel to cleanup spots from there.

For more information, call Molly, 443-414-4384, or send an email to savebackriver@gmail.com.