Scouts prepared to sweep Lincoln clean

[May 11, 2010]  Lincoln's third annual ScoutSweep is planned for Saturday. Cub Scouts from Packs 101, 105 and 111 and Girl Scouts from Troops 6344 and 6193 will work together to pick up trash around Lincoln. The Lincoln City Council has proclaimed May 15 "ScoutSweep Day."

Area businesses including Kroger, Qik-n-EZ, Subway, Mel-O-Cream, McDonald's and Bonanza have donated food and supplies for the event.

ScoutSweep teaches Scouts the importance of taking care of their environment and volunteer service to their community. Volunteer hours count toward Good Turn for America, an effort started by the Boy Scouts but including several organizations that have contributed 11,878,821 volunteer hours.

In past years the Scouts have picked up common trash around Lincoln, including paper, plastic and aluminum cans, but those aren't the top trash item found. That would be cigarette butts, by far. The Scouts ask for the community's help in keeping all litter in its place.

The public is encouraged to participate in the event by reporting areas in Lincoln where trash needs to be picked up, including private property by permission.

For more information about the event or about Scouting, contact ScoutSweep coordinators Jason Schafer 737-3068 or Chad Bennett 737-7278.

[Text from file received from Jason Schafer]