Vounteers sought for Mason District cleanup events

Don’t let litter take over your community.

A recent MDC neighborhood survey found 86 percent of respondents are extremely or somewhat concerned with litter in the Mason District. According to the National Association of Homebuilders, the presence of litter in a neighborhood tends to reduce property values by an average of 7.4 percent, said MDC Chair Mollie Loeffler said. “Litter attracts more litter and also discourages investor interest.” 

The Mason District Little League and Parklawn Civic Association are having a “team up cleanup” event on March 23, 9 a.m.-noon. Meet at the batting cage on the field at Parklawn Elementary School. Bring gloves, rakes, and edging materials. Contact John Lavoie, [email protected].

“Last year, there weren’t enough volunteers, so we hope lots of people will come out and help make our community look attractive,” says Loeffler.

April 28—Accotink Creek at Little River Turnpike in the Mill Creek neighborhood, noon-2 p.m.
May 4—Accotink Creek at Woodburn Road by the Winterset neighborhood, noon-2 p.m,
May 4—Accotink Creek at King Arthur Road in Camelot, 9-11 a.m.
The contact for all those events is Philip Latasa, 703/400-1492, [email protected].

Both the Indian Run Homeowner Association (contact Sharon Sellers, [email protected]) and the Raymondale community (contact Whitney Redding, [email protected]) plan to schedule cleanups but haven’t finalized the details yet. The Glasgow Middle School Honor Society and Environmental Committee are planning a cleanup for kids only.

For more information on community cleanups, visit the Districtwide Cleanup section on the Mason District Council website. If your community group or HOA event isn’t listed, contact MDC Chair Mollie Loeffler. You can also download free anti-litter advertisements from the MDC. Cleanup organizers can get free supplies from the Clean Fairfax Council, but the council needs two weeks’ notice, if possible.

“All the cleanup event organizers need help,” says Loeffler. “Please consider helping out in any way you can and teach your children a valuable lesson.”