When the daffodils begin to bloom, that’s a sign that it’s spring-cleaning time. And, when an entire city teams up to clean up, that’s a sure sign that people care about their community and want to keep in beautiful.

The City of Troy is embarking on its 3rd annual City-Wide Volunteer Clean-up Campaign  –“Team Up to Clean Up!” and everyone is invited to participate.

“The main reason ‘Keep Troy Beautiful’ has clean –up efforts and programs is that litter invites more litter,” said Melissa Sanders, executive director, Keep Troy Beautiful. “Once litter has accumulated along a road or in a city people are more likely to keep littering. These efforts and programs help educate the participants of the programs, show others we care about our city and, hopefully, send a message to stop littering.”

Sanders said between now and April 30, volunteers from Troy neighborhoods, businesses, organizations, groups and individuals will join together as “litter-gitters” and clean up Troy.

“A more sustainable future can start in a lot of places,” Sanders said. “It can start with a cleanup activity such as Troy’s Annual City-Wide Volunteer Clean-up Campaign – Team Up to Clean Up! which encourages local residents to come together for the betterment of our community.”

The Team Up to Clean Up campaign is a part of Keep America Beautiful’s Great American Cleanup.

“The Great American Cleanup begins with small actions – the actions of individuals,” Sanders said. “Those small actions lead to significant impact. Most importantly, taking action starts within all of us, as we make conscious decisions to make a difference.

“Vibrant communities aren’t just aesthetically pleasing, they’re places with engaged citizens, more active local economies, higher property values, healthier environments, and improved public safety. They’re better places to raise a family, start a business or go to school. They’re better places for living our lives.”

Thirteen teams participated in the 2015 Team Up to Clean Up! including Troy Airport ATC, Chi Omega, First National Bank, Cub Scout Pack 41, James Buchanan, Alpha Gamma Delta, Phi Mu, College Street Historic District, Troy Regional Medical Center, The Pointe at Troy, Pack 41 Tiger Cubs, Transformation Church, and Troy Women’s Basketball Team. A total of 182 volunteers picked up litter around town.

Sanders said Keep Troy Beautiful will provide free trash bags and clean up supplies for registered teams. The supplies may be picked up at Troy City Hall during confirmed supply pick up times. As an incentive registered volunteers are eligible to win a $100 VISA Gift Card, courtesy of TB&T.

“It’s important that our events, such as the Team Up to Clean Up! campaign, work to build the next generation of environmental stewards,” Sanders said. “Through these cleanup efforts, volunteers, young and old, will be empowered to take action in preserving our local environment.

“We are very grateful to the City of Troy, Keep America Beautiful, Keep Alabama Beautiful, Lowe’s, and Troy Bank and Trust for their support and collaboration of this event.”

Register now for Troy’s 3rd Annual City-Wide Volunteer Clean-up Campaign – Team Up to Clean Up! today.  For more information about this year’s Team Up to Clean Up Campaign, visit www.troyal.gov, email ktb@troyal.info, or call Leigh Anne Windham at 334.674.2468 or Melissa Sanders at 334.670.6058.