Plans for this year’s Great American Cleanup are underway, and askHRgreen.org and regional event organizers have designated not just a day or weekend, but the entire spring season, for the task of cleaning up and greening up Hampton Roads.

“The Great American Cleanup will be celebrated from March through May in Hampton Roads, and we hope everyone—individuals, families, school groups, clubs and civic organizations—will pick a project and participate,” said askHRgreen.org team member Laurie Halperin.

From school yard beautification projects to litter pickups and recycling events, there will be something for everyone, according to Halperin, who is the recycling and beautification coordinator for York County. Cleanup events, from Williamsburg to Virginia Beach, will be posted over the next three months to askhrgreen.org/the-great-american-cleanup-2013/. Check the site frequently!

A Keep America Beautiful initiative, the Great American Cleanup is the largest grassroots community involvement program in the United States. Last year, Hampton Roads’ two-day regional cleanup event had over 1,700 volunteers at 92 sites where they picked up more than 124,000 pounds of litter and debris and planted 86 trees and over 800 plants and shrubs. The results were “transformational,” according to Halperin.

“The idea is to connect Hampton Roads volunteers with projects that will help transform their communities into clean, green spaces,” said Halperin. “We know this year will be even better than last, so grab your work gloves and join us!”