Don’t Mess with (Paris) Texas Trash-Off

On Saturday, April 12th, our community will come together once again to make Paris an even more beautiful and inviting city. As part of the statewide “Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off” cleanup program, over 30 volunteer teams are expected to take to Paris neighborhoods, parks, and local waterways to pick up litter. The City of Paris, United Way of Lamar County, and Keep Paris Beautiful are organizing the event, but the real heroes will be the volunteers who step up, and the generous event sponsors who are underwriting the project.

The event will start at the Love Civic Center Sports Pavilion early Saturday morning. Beginning at 7 am, Credit Union of Texas will provide free breakfast burritos for the early-riser volunteers, and Thomas A. Ables & Associates will provide coffee. Starting at 8 am, teams who have not pre-registered can do so, and then pick up their volunteer t-shirts and equipment. The first 275 volunteers will receive a free event t-shirt, safety vest, gloves, grabber, trash bags, and bottled water. At 8:30 am sponsors will be introduced, safety instructions given, and location assignments made. The teams will be dispatched at 8:45 am to specific areas around town in need of attention, where they’ll spend one to three hours collecting trash.

“Keep Paris Beautiful is honored to organize the 3rd Annual Trash-Off. We couldn’t do it without generous partners, sponsors, and amazing volunteers“ says Keep Paris Beautiful Executive Director Julia Trigg Crawford. “Last year’s event was a huge success with over 260 volunteers, and we look forward to another big turnout this year. We invite you to join us and be part of this fun and impactful community event.”

This is an ideal opportunity for folks of all ages, representing local athletic teams, professional organizations, businesses, school clubs, church groups, non-profits, neighborhood associations, etc., to demonstrate their pride in our hometown.

To register online, go to www.paristexas.gov/trashoff. Pre-registered teams are encouraged to pick up their free volunteer t-shirts and equipment ahead of time at the United Way Office (2340 Lamar Avenue) on April 9, 10 or 11 from 9 to 11 am. To arrange a special pickup time volunteers can also call the United Way office at 903.784.6642. Volunteers can also register the morning of the event at the Love Civic Center Sports Pavilion.

For more information, please contact Keep Paris Beautiful Executive Director Julia Trigg Crawford at keepparisbeautiful@gmail.com or 713.443.8789, or Deputy City Manager Rob Vine at rvine@paristexas.gov or 903.784.9216

In the event of inclement weather on April 12th, the event will be rescheduled for April 19th