Burke Chamber Litter Sweep wins for environment, community
Litter Sweep third-place winner was Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina. Accepting on Foothills' behalf is Jenna Cole, communications and events specialist with the Burke County Chamber of Commerce.
Litter Sweep second-place winner was Gary Jennings, Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1116. Jennings (right) is pictured with Jenna Cole, communications and events specialist with the Burke County Chamber of Commerce.
First-place winners in the annual Litter Sweep were the Burke River Trail ‘Litter Gitters.’ Accepting the award are Margaret Sundell (left) and Val Scott.
Community spirit and environmental stewardship were in full force during the Burke Chamber’s fourth annual Litter Sweep, held April 2-9, where 155 registered participants across 16 dedicated teams joined forces to make a powerful impact. The results speak volumes: an impressive 445 bags of trash and 21 bags of recyclables were collected, along with a variety of large, discarded items — 32 tires, a shopping cart, recliner, bed frame, car parts, and more.
The event not only showcased collective action for a cleaner community but also celebrated teams whose efforts went above and beyond. The winning teams included the following:
First place
Burke River Trail Litter Gitters — Led the charge with 139 bags of trash and numerous large items including more than seven tires, car parts, cinder blocks, and more.
Second place
Gary Jennings (Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter #1116) — Collected 127 bags of trash, three bags of recyclables, and a haul of bulky waste: one shopping cart, one recliner, one bed frame, eight tires, one battery, and one wing-tip chair.
Third place
Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina — Cleared out 52 bags of trash, making a strong environmental statement.
Recycling champions
CoMMA Drama Volunteers — Took top honors in recycling with 11 bags of recyclables.
“We are thrilled to see so many members of our community demonstrating commitment to protecting and beautifying Burke County,” said Tonia Stephenson, chamber president & CEO. “It is truly amazing what we can accomplish when we work together.”
SPECIAL THANKS
This event would not have been possible without the generous support of our investors and partners:
- Presenting Investor: Republic Services
- Program Investors: Fonta Flora Brewery and Murphy’s Farm Apartments
- Table Investors: Burke River Trail Association and SGL Carbon
- Burke County NCDOT for providing essential supplies
- Burke County and Convenience Site Workers for their crucial assistance
- Buffalo Wild Wings for keeping participants energized with refreshments
- Murphy’s Farm Apartments for hosting our Litter Sweep Celebration
The chamber would like to thank each and every volunteer who invested their time and energy toward making this year’s Litter Sweep a success. Please consider supporting this initiative by joining us next spring for the fifth annual Litter Sweep. Registration will be available soon. For general information, visit www.burkecountychamber.org/litter-sweep or call 828-437-3021. The Burke County Chamber of Commerce is Growing Business, Building Community.
About The Burke County Chamber of Commerce:
The Burke County Chamber of Commerce has been a trusted resource for businesses and their employees since 1945. It is an independent organization governed exclusively by a local board of directors and not a construct of a national or state organization. Members rely on a full calendar of networking and learning opportunities as well as assistance in navigating complex issues facing the business community. The Burke County Chamber of Commerce works every day to build a stronger community for businesses and for residents.
For more information on the Burke County Chamber of Commerce, call 828-437-3021, email info@burkecounty.org, or stop by the office at 110 E. Meeting St.
Jenna Cole is the communications & events specialist for the Burke County Chamber of Commerce.
