Volunteers worked for two hours last Saturday morning to help make Columbia a cleaner, more inviting place for visitors, new employers and new residents. The downtown Clean Up on April 27, cleared a total of 880 pounds of litter from the streets, creeks and lawns of Columbia.

Volunteers filled 44 large garbage bags with trash from the town square and surrounding main streets. The Clean Up was organized by Heart of Adair Economic Restructuring Action Team, Amy Waggener, chair.

The cooperation of Heart of Adair and other members of the community who donated prizes, time and materials made the cleanup successful.

The Mayor's Office donated bags and gloves and sticks. The State Highway Department provided bags and orange vests so that volunteers could be seen by drivers.

Participants' names were drawn for some great prizes donated by local merchants. including: a watch donated by Grimsley's Jewelry, hair supplies donated by Shear Perfection, complimentary dessert from Cafe Columbia, a gift certificate to B & M Fashions, gift certificate from Country Junction, a can cooler from Cellular One, gift certificates from Movie Warehouse, tanning visits from Thomas Photography and Tanning, coupons good for 2 free Value Meals from Taco Bell, and Power Ranger videos donated by 92.7 The Wave.

Thanks to these local businesses and to the Mayor's Office and State Highway Department for their generous donations.

It's not too late to help in the Clean Up Columbia effort.

" Please help keep Columbia clean by not littering and by keeping the area around your home and business litter-free," Amy says, "If everyone pitches in a few minutes a week to keep their area clean, hopefully the next clean up will find less than a pound of litter."