New Concord’s village-wide annual clean-up event, “Let’s Pick It Up New Concord” celebrated its 15 anniversary this year, the same year as the 50 anniversary of Earth Day.
Sponsored by the New Concord Area Arts and Recreation District (NCAARD), the event was slightly different this year. Due to COVID-19, the event was not a one-day event, but stretched over two weeks, April 22-May 6.
NCAARD Director Mary Beth Caudill modified the event due to social distancing orders made by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine.
New Concord was placed into sections and residents interested in participating picked up supplies from the NCAARD building on Comin Street and chose an area of the village to clean.
The event was successful with 125 residents from 45 families in the village participating. Volunteers contributed 271 hours picking up trash around the village, exceeding the original goal by 26 hours.
New Concord reached it’s hours goal for Let’s Pick It Up New Concord for the 2020 event. The event ran from April 22-May 6. NCAARD | Facebook
During the virtual May 11 New Concord Village Council Meeting, Mayor Jennifer Lyle announced she was proud of participation from the village.
“I’m wearing my New Concord Strong Let’s Pick It Up T-shirt tonight in honor of this event. I would like to say congratulations and a big thanks to Mary Beth and everybody who participated and helped make this a success,” said Lyle.
Caudill said the event was so successful, NCAARD is considering implementing the idea into next year’s event.
“We’ve been kicking this around and you know, with everything going on and COVID, some good ideas develop because of the changes we’ve had to make. It [a longer event] gives people the opportunity to do it when they want. It gives some options for people if you open it up for the week,” said Caudill.
Participants could pick up a free T-shirt after the two-week event at the NCAARD building. Sponsors for the shirts included NCAARD, Gurnsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative, New Concord Board of Trade, Dave Adams, and Riesbeck’s Food Markets.
NCAARD Program Director Mary Beth Caudill gave out “New Concord Strong” T-shirts to residents who participated in the “Let’s Pick It Up New Concord” event. NCAARD | Facebook
For more information about NCAARD and their upcoming events, visit their website or follow their Facebook page, @NCAARD.
