LEESVILLE- The Leesville Mayor's Women's Commission is hosting its annual Fall Trash Bash October 11 at 8 a.m. at Liberty Garden across from the Vernon Parish Library.

City Administrator Courtney Christian urges residents to come out and participate. "We want to create a city that makes a stellar first impression. A clean city brings in new visitors, business, and citizens. It's an important step in helping our community to grow."

Each group picks up trash in a specific area. Then the trash is weighed and prizes are distributed to the groups with the most trash at 11 a.m., when volunteers return to Liberty Garden Park for a cookout and an awards ceremony. Awards include cash prizes for youth groups who pick up the most trash.

Litter comes from a great many sources like household garbage, construction sites, or motorists tossing trash from their windows, said Christian. Most don't think about it, but this small action has a large impact on the community as a whole. Litter inhibits economic development, contributes to crime, reduces property values, and costs the residents money.

The Trash Bash may only be two days a year, but businesses and individuals can help to maintain the city's beautification year round. Keeping their own areas tidy and keeping receptacles on hand to keep litter to a minimum are two of many simple solutions.  

For more information on Leesville's beautification or the Trash Bash, contact the City of Leesville at (337) 239-2444.