To the Editor:

Over 140 Wilmington volunteers helped to make Vermont’s 40th annual Green Up Day a success. On Saturday, May 1, more than 200 bags of roadside litter were collected along Wilmington’s roads. In addition, Twin Valley High School students filled over 25 bags as they canvassed the school grounds and surrounding areas with their classmates and teachers.

We had many faithful, returning helpers. There were also several new faces this year, including four of our youngest Green-Uppers ever. At least five families had three generations represented. One new group this year was Girls on the Run from the Deerfield Valley Elementary School. The local Brownie/Daisy/Girl Scout troop turned out with many of their parents. The town beautification vommittee, the Chimney Hill Property Owners Association, and the Deerfield Valley Rotary were represented too.

Without the cooperation and assistance of Wilmington’s town and school office and kitchen staff as well as the state and local road crews, Green Up Day would not be possible. Soda and water were generously donated by Leader Beverage through Sonny and Flo at C&S Beverage, and ice cream sandwiches were provided by Shaw’s. Brand new this year were delicious, whole wheat hot dog rolls donated by the Vermont Bread Company. Green Up Vermont (www.greenupvermont.org) is the nonprofit organization that sends us our bags and posters and they are sponsored by many Vermonters. We are extremely grateful to all of these folks.

Picking up trash and supporting those who do it on Green Up Day is a total community effort - and so is preventing roadside litter. Working together, we can keep this unique Vermont Green Up spirit growing year-round.

A huge thank you to everyone involved!

Kathy Larsen

Rebecca Sweeney

Green Up coordinators

Wilmington