Pick up a trash bag and gloves, grab a doughnut and head on outside to clean up the town!

Those are the steps necessary to participate in Palmerton’s 2021 communitywide cleanup day.

Organized by Palmerton Here and Now and Kids for the Community, the event will take place Saturday. The rain date is Sunday.

Participants are asked to take a walk around and pick up trash, and may do as much or as little as they’re able, according to event organizer Clare Papay.

“A lot of towns have similar events around this time of year often connected to Earth Day, and Palmerton hasn’t had anything,” Papay said. “I thought since other communities have cleanup events, I thought we should have one, too.”

Papay said to get involved, stop by the Palmerton Borough Garage parking lot to pick up trash bags and gloves donated by Shea’s Hardware Store.

From there, she said they can grab a doughnut donated by Dunkin’ (while supplies last) from 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, and then head outside and clean up.

Papay said participants may collect trash from their block or another street/area in the borough; or a team competition where they can join either Team (Don) Herrmann or Team (Raberta) Hans with their cleanup of the most trash-filled areas of town; and follow their progress throughout the morning and see who wins the grand team prize - a $50 Claude’s gift certificate.

She said Kids for the Community will be cleaning up an area as a group, and that those who need to stay closer to home can opt to clean up their own yard.

Papay said participants should drop off their bagged trash at the borough garage before noon, and added they will accept bagged garbage that was collected on public property for disposal.

She said the borough’s chipping area is also open for those who want to drop off branches, limbs, etc.

Papay said anyone who lives within the Palmerton Area School District that participates in the cleanup day can enter to win one prize - children and adults included. To enter, either drop off bagged trash at the borough garage by noon, or they can post a photo participating in the cleanup day in the event page on Facebook. Winners will be notified later that day.

She said participation in this event is at everyone’s own risk, and that they should wear highly visible clothing and watch for vehicles.

Papay said they will accept only bagged garbage that was collected on public property within the borough for disposal. Those who collect garbage on their own property should dispose of it in their regular trash. The drop-off area will be staffed by volunteers, and is under camera surveillance. Disposal of any prohibited item will be considered “dumping” and dealt with under Palmerton and Pennsylvania littering laws.

The borough’s chipping area is open for vegetation disposal for Palmerton Borough properties. Branches, limbs or small trees must be half-inch to 9 inches in diameter (no large trees or stumps). Lawn and hedge clippings may be placed in the designated area.

Papay said the prize list for individual participation includes coupons for pizza, doughnuts and more.

“We’re just looking to give people different ways to participate any way that works for them,” Papay said. “Every little bit helps.”

For more information, text Papay at 857-271-9145 or email clarepapay@gmail.com. Share this information page with others by using the link https://tinyurl.com/palmertonclean.