With April as PRIDE cleanup month, several local youth around the county have already taken advantage of the opportunity, according to PRIDE coordinators H.M. Bottom and Richard Roy.

Two examples were the youth at Bethel United Baptist on Decatur Rd. just north of Russell Springs and Boy Scout Troop #241 this week who met up at Liberty Baptist Church.

The youth group from the church along with several of the church's adults, about 40 in all, participated in the trash pick up where they netted something like 60 bags.

The group began at their church and worked their way toward Hwy. 80, something Bottom said he was particularly impressed with.

The Boy Scouts picked up garbage midweek on various roads in the Russell Springs city limits.

Bottom said it was groups such as this who traverse the county's backroads that really help keep the community clean.

"They really make a big difference," Bottom said. "We really depend on groups like these during our cleanup and we're glad to offer the resources to get this done."

Also this week the Girl Scouts, as well as several other church groups went out to pick up trash that has accumulated throughout the year.

PRIDE supplies the bags and the gloves during the coordinated cleanups and volunteers also receive a free PRIDE shirt while supplies last.

All local governments in PRIDE's service area are eligible for Spring Cleanup funds, thanks to a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

To qualify for its available funding, the local government must comply with funding guidelines. A match of 10 percent of the award must be met through volunteer hours.

This year Russell County received a $7,500 grant, while the cities of Jamestown and Russell Springs each received $500. Though volunteers work for free, county cleanup costs money for needed cleanup items.

The always popular free dump day is scheduled for April 20, Bottom said. During this day the Russell County Landfill will accept your large trashed items too large for normal garbage service pickup.