Keep Cherokee Beautiful Launches Adopt-A-Mile Program

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — Keep Cherokee Beautiful now has an Adopt-A-Mile program that encourages residents and businesses to take pride in their local community by keeping the roadsides free of trash and debris.

Cherokee County District 3 Commissioner Benny Carter introduced the new program at the April 20 board of commissioners’ meeting as the first initiative for Keep Cherokee Beautiful.

“I am pleased that the program continues to move forward and gain momentum,” Carter said.

Tom and Ann Earley with the North Georgia Pickleball Club adopted the first road in the program, Water Tank Road. The Earleys hosted a roadside cleanup on April 22 and were able to collect eight bags of trash weighing approximately 160 pounds.

“I hope this program encourages more people to take pride in their neighborhoods,”Ann Earley said.

Residents interested in adopting a mile will need to identify a section of county road they want to adopt and sign an agreement committing to maintain the section for 12 months and host a minimum of four roadside cleanups.

Once a roadside cleanup has been scheduled, volunteers will be provided with cleanup supplies from Keep Cherokee Beautiful and Cherokee County, which include safety vests and grabbers. Trash and litter retrievals can be scheduled with the Cherokee County Recycling Center or volunteers can also arrange for the disposal of the litter in private dumpsters.

Those participating in the scheduled roadside cleanups must be over 12-years-old, be named in an event roster and will be required to sign a waiver and/or parental consent form prior to the cleanup.

Roads adopted into the program will be marked with two road signs, bearing the adopting organization’s name, after completion of two cleanups. Adopt-A-Mile partners will also receive annual recognition certificates.

For additional information and details on adopting a mile, visit the Keep Cherokee Beautiful Adopt-A- Mile webpage or email cleancherokee@gmail.com.