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Sullivan Renaissance Awards UDC $500 Grant for Litter Clean-up Kits
NARROWSBURG – Sullivan Renaissance has awarded a 2021 Healthy Community Initiatives Grant of $500 to the Upper Delaware Council (UDC) to create 12 litter clean-up kits that will be available for volunteers to borrow free of charge year-round.
The UDC will house the kits at its centrally-located office at 211 Bridge St. in Narrowsburg and replenish the supplies as needed.
Designed for use by two people, each kit will contain a five-gallon bucket, a trash grabber tool, contractor bags, neon safety vests, work gloves, face masks, a travel-sized first aid kit, litter clean-up safety tips, a Visitor Information Map & Guide for the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, and relevant literature such as a briefing on the Delaware River Microplastics Study.
“The primary goals of this initiative include removing as much litter from the river corridor as possible, encouraging residents and community members to engage in the outdoors, and to educate the public about the dangers of litter on public health and ecosystems,” said UDC Resources and Land Use Specialist Shannon Cilento, who wrote the successful grant application.
The idea for Litter Clean-up Kits was inspired by two fellow non-profit organizations that are based in the Philadelphia region of the Delaware River Watershed, the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership and the Riverfront North Partnership.
The UDC just completed a first-ever Upper Delaware Litter Sweep from April 17-25, attracting upwards of 300 volunteers who scoured the 15 NY towns and PA townships that comprise the federally-designated Upper Delaware River Corridor for land-based trash.
Sullivan Renaissance’s Healthy Community Initiatives Program, managed by Colleen Emery, is intended to improve and promote the social, physical, and environmental health and wellness of Sullivan County communities. For guidelines, visit www.SullivanRenaissance.org.
To find out when the UDC’s Litter Clean-up Kits will be ready to lend, please call (845) 252-3022, email info@upperdelawarecouncil.org, or watch for an announcement on the Council’s social media platforms.
