The Love Your Community (LYC) anti-litter program has relaunched in Mobile County with an Earth Day kickoff, offering volunteer teams the chance to earn thousands of dollars in grant funding for environmental improvement projects.
The program, which began in 2018, mobilized more than 65 teams and 600 volunteers in its first two years before the pandemic put activities on hold. Under the initiative, teams of one to 50 or more members select locations within Mobile County to monitor, organize, and schedule cleanup activities. Equipment and cleanup supplies are provided by the county.
“This is a great opportunity for neighborhood associations, workplace groups, schools and community service organizations to get involved and earn funds for environmental improvement projects,” said District 2 Commissioner Connie Hudson, who led the effort to establish the program. “Together we can keep litter out of our community and waterways and make Mobile County a cleaner, healthier, and more attractive place to live.”
A new time-banking initiative allows teams to deposit volunteer hours through the LYC website or by mail. Hours accumulate in the Love Your Community Time Bank and can eventually be exchanged for grant funding. Grants must be used for projects in public rights-of-way and common areas, including recycling efforts, community gardens, park projects, and beautification initiatives.
The program is coordinated in partnership with Keep Mobile Beautiful, Inc., the Alabama Coastal Heritage Trust, and Clean Water Future. Interested teams can register at LoveYourCommunity.com or call 251-444-7144.