Anonymous Vandergrift donor offers $100 prize to person who picks up most trash in cleanup event

A Vandergrift resident who wishes to remain anonymous is offering a $100 cash prize to the person who picks up the most trash during the Earth Day 2021 Cleanup Challenge With Vandergrift event starting Saturday, according to Vandergrift Community Watch.

Vandergrift Community Watch normally hosts an annual Earth Day cleanup event, but it halted meetings and associated activities last year because of covid-19 restrictions.

“We cannot risk having a sponsored group event such as our large cleanups until our restrictions are lifted. Hooray that a community-minded resident has come up with this idea,” said Community Watch volunteer and event social media coordinator Marilee Kessler.

The cleanup event will run from Saturday through April 3.

“I think the town as a whole needs a cleanup because it’s right after winter,” Kessler said.

Locations especially in need of attention include the area around Kennedy Park near Jackson and Franklin avenues, the hills behind fire hall #1 and near the Dollar General, and Vandergrift Lane to East Vandergrift, Kessler said.

Past cleanup events drew more than 60 volunteers, including participants from borough fire departments and Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops.