Ready to help clean up Lexington Park again? We are!
St. Mary’s CDC is excited to officially announce our Second Annual Great Mills Road Cleanup event will be held on Saturday, June 3rd 2023 from 9 AM to 12 PM, hosted once again at the Church of the Ascension!
Important Event Day information
Date/Time: Saturday, June 3rd, 2023. Sign-in starts at 8:45, with lunch beginning upon the return of volunteers (~11:30).
Location: Church of the Ascension, 21641 Great Mills Road, Lexington Park, MD
Parking: PLEASE do not park at the church due to limited space. Parking is available at the old Burger King (21650 Great Mills Road) or in the St. Mary’s Square parking lot. Use the crosswalks to arrive at the church safely! (If you are helping with the event AT the church and are unable to walk from the lots, please contact us. 👍)
*Groups*: Important! When you registered, you might have noted a work/church affiliation, or a preferred cleanup location. If you are unhappy with your assignment, if we missed something, or you would like to be in a group with a friend, please let us know! We’d be happy to make adjustments if we can. But keep in mind, this could be a great opportunity to meet other passionate folks like you! 🤝
Food: Chicken and pork barbecue, potato salad, and beans catered by Uncle D’s Grill. Snacks, water, drinks, and vegetarian accommodations will also be provided.🍴🥤Enjoy some fresh, energizing Cold Brew, too, thanks to St. Inie’s!
Preparation: Wear close-toed shoes! 👟 Bring a hat and sunglasses, if you prefer. Bring a 🎒 backpack, fanny-pack, or pull cart for easy access to tools and supplies. Sunscreen and bug spray will be provided.
T-Shirt FAQ: Your sign-up serves as a ‘reservation’ of your shirt! You are welcome to step into the church to change into your t-shirt when you arrive. Designated locations will be available to stow your items until lunchtime.
WEATHER: It looks like it will be a clear, hot day. Water will be provided, so please stay hydrated! If the weather changes significantly, an announcement will be sent out by Friday, June 2 for rescheduling. However, if we expect light, scattered showers, the event WILL go on and you will receive a free poncho! 😀
Safety: St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office will be present on event day to ensure the safety of volunteers by the roadway. 🚓 The Rescue Squad will also be on call. Please make sure you stay aware of your surroundings at all times and ALWAYS stick with a buddy. NEVER let a group member venture out alone.
*Groups, cont.:
Group 1: Three Notch Road to St. Mary’s Square, including some commercial centers
- Start at church in the direction of Rt. 235, cross GMR at Rt. 235, final crossing at St. Mary’s Square.
Group 2: St. Mary’s Square to U-Haul area
- Start at church in the direction of U-Haul, cross GMR at the U-Haul, final crossing of GMR at St. Mary’s Square.
Group 3: U-Haul to GMHS
- IMPORTANT: Swann Transportation is providing a free bus to transport volunteers to GMHS. Departure: ~9:30AM. Return: ~12:00PM.
- Start at GMHS in the direction of the U-Haul, cross GMR at the U-Haul, return in the direction of GMHS for final crossing of GMR.
Group 4: GMHS to Rt. 5
- IMPORTANT: Swann Transportation is providing a free bus to transport volunteers to GMHS. Departure: ~9:30AM. Return: ~12:00PM.
Start at GMHS in the direction of Rt. 5, cross GMR at Rt. 5, return to GMHS and cross GMR.
More Than Just a Clean-Up
While volunteers are cleaning Great Mills Road like they did last year, there will be several other components of the Clean-Up in full swing on June 3rd and throughout the summer:
Beautifying Great Mills Road with Greenery
St. Mary’s CDC won a grant to supply businesses on Great Mills Road with plants, greenery, and shrubbery to improve the look of the streetscape, to further our efforts of beautifying our town. If you are interested in receiving greenery for your business, submit a request today!
Click the flyer to open a full size version in a new tab.
Neighborhood Residents Join the Effort
We are encouraging residents in local neighborhoods like Patuxent Homes, Westbury, Colony Square, Patuxent Crossing Apartments, Essex South, and beyond to join in the efforts on June 3rd and work together to tidy up their “block.” Residents who want to help out can sign up here and be able to stop by the Church of the Ascension for their free t-shirt on cleanup day! Volunteers are visiting these neighborhoods over the coming weeks to spread the word, so make sure to say ‘hey’ and sign up today!
Want to help share the event with friends or neighbors? Click on a flyer to download, share online, or print and post in your neighborhood or at your workplace!
New Mural in Lexington Park
From the same grant, the CDC has $4,500 to invest in a new mural to be installed on the St. Mary’s County Health Department’s Health Hub. We are partnering with St. Mary’s County Arts Council, Cedar Point Federal Credit Union, and a group of artists to finalize a vision of a mural that represents what makes Lexington Park great.
How You Can Help
- DONATE: Every single dollar collected counts! If you feel passionately about our mission and want to help St. Mary’s CDC continue our work, please consider donating any dollar amount.
- DONATE SUPPLIES: We will need lots of water to keep our volunteers cool and hydrated. Consider donating a case of water bottles, Gatorade, or even packaged snacks or treats!
- BRING TOOLS: Have gardening or lawn tools that could help with our efforts? Please let us know and bring them with you! Leaf blowers will work much better to clear the sidewalks than the brooms did last year.
- SPREAD THE WORD: Tell your friends, your family, your coworkers, your church congregation, team members, employees, EVERYONE! Share our event on Facebook (and invite your friends to like our page!). The more people we have involved, the more successful this event will be. Please tell as many people as you know!
