Jefferson Parish, La. --- In an effort to educate and involve community leaders in the fight against litter in Louisiana, Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) and twenty-seven affiliates including Keep Jefferson Parish Beautiful participated in a statewide litter-a-thon on March 10th which ended with a press conference in Baton Rouge announcing the results. 

Over 100 bags of trash were collected by more than 15 community leaders at the third annual “Leaders Against Litter” event, hosted by Keep Jefferson Parish Beautiful.  Leaders Against Litter is a signature event created by KLB and supported by Volunteer Louisiana that gives local leaders the opportunity to demonstrate their support for keeping Louisiana beautiful by leading the charge against litter in our community. 

Local government officials, business and community leaders, including Mayor of Westwego, John Shaddinger and LA Representative Patrick Connick,  joined Keep Jefferson Parish Beautiful across the 2 mile route along Westwego’s Fourth Street corridor collecting various forms of litter to beautify the  area in support of  Jefferson Parish and volunteerism.

Leaders used litter grabbers and wore matching event T-shirts as part of the Team to” lead the way to a cleaner Louisiana”. The leaders then collectively signed a Leaders Against Litter pledge confirming their commitment to SPEAK UP and spread the word that litter is not acceptable, to PICK UP litter whenever they see it, and to STAND UP and lead the way for a litter-free Louisiana.

The pledge board is now a traveling display appearing at different locations in which other leaders and citizens can sign the pledge, engaging even more individuals and extending the impact of Leaders Against Litter.

The Leaders Against Litter events kicked off the Great American Cleanup held in the months of March, April and May. Members of the community can become involved by contacting their local affiliate to learn about other upcoming events, volunteering opportunities and cleanups.

About Keep Louisiana Beautiful

Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) is a volunteer-based service organization dedicated to a more beautiful and litter-free Louisiana. Through a statewide network of over 39 affiliate organizations, KLB engages over 23,000 volunteers at a value of over $2.3 million dollars. Volunteers pick up over 670,000 pounds of litter from roadways and waterways. Each year, KLB issues close to a quarter million dollars for programs and activities focusing on environmental education, litter enforcement, cleanups, recycling and strengthening communities. KLB promotes personal, corporate and community responsibility for a clean and beautiful Louisiana. For more information, visit www.keeplouisianabeautiful.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.