Beautification Group Cleans 400 Pounds Of Litter From Ambassador Caffery

The organization Keep Lafayette Beautiful, a volunteer litter and beautification board, cleaned several blocks of Ambassador Caffery Parkway on Saturday, beginning at the 4700 block of the road and continuing down to Verot School Road.

Several board members organized the event and 10 volunteers from UL Lafayette's Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity volunteered time and labor to execute the project.

Executive Director Mark Pope says KLB consists of seven outstanding board members.

“These folks volunteer their time and energy and are passionate about making Lafayette as clean and attractive as possible,” Pope said.

Mike Mills, chairman of the board, said the board coordinates several litter clean-up and beautification projects per year, with a focus on planting trees and other vegetation to beautify a certain area.

“Litter is a black-eye for our community," Mills said. "We have to try to affect change and stop people from littering. Our board leads by setting an example for others to follow. We can complain about litter or we can get out and do something about it."

The Lafayette-based KLB board is sponsored by Lafayette Consolidated Government and is a local affiliate of the national organization Keep America Beautiful.

Pope estimates that 400 pounds of litter and debris were collected Saturday. With assistance from two private companies — B&A All Around and The Grounds Guys — 2,500 feet of sidewalks were edged along Ambassador Caffery, and litter adjacent to the roadway was picked up.

Judging for the state-wide Cleanest City judging is Tuesday. Pope said he requests that people pick up litter and manicure their lawns at home and work.