For Immediate Release:
April 26, 2012

St. Luke's Hospital & neighbors to host Operation Clean Sweep on May 19

Ward 5 neighborhood cleanup on Saturday, May 19, from 8:30 a.m. to noon

Click here to register as a volunteer for Operation Clean Sweep

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast Hospitals Group and the St. Luke's neighborhood group, Neighbors Eager for Enlightened Development (NEED), will co-host Operation Clean Sweep in Ward 5 on Saturday, May 19. Neighbors, families, friends, students, service groups and the community are encouraged to volunteer to demonstrate support for the city and to show pride in the community.

The neighborhood cleanup will take place from 8:30 a.m. until noon. Volunteers can check in at the St. Luke's parking lot on the corner of Hawthorn and Page streets. All tools, gloves and bags will be provided by Operation Clean Sweep.

Free refreshments, including bagels, fruit, water, juice and pizza, will be provided by Southcoast Hospitals Group and Domino's Pizza, the official pizza of Operation Clean Sweep. Volunteers will also receive a coupon redeemable at the St. Luke's Hospital Cafeteria for a cup of award-winning clam chowder served on the day of the clean-up or available any Friday. Other giveaways will include Southcoast beach balls and sunscreen.

FUN 107 will broadcast live from the event. The Southcoast Health Van will be onsite from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to provide free health screenings and conduct a blood drive. Gifts to Give will also be onsite accepting gently used clothes, cribs, strollers and car seats to be refurbished and donated within our community.

Volunteers are encouraged to pre-register by visiting www.southcoast.org/cleansweep/. Pre-registration is not required but is preferred in order to appropriately plan for the event. Walk-ups are always welcome.

Students and volunteers are eligible to earn community service hours during the cleanup. Community service confirmation letters will be available upon request on the day of the event.

The rain date for this event is Saturday, July 21. For more information call 508-961-5280 or email poyants@southcoast.org.