CHESAPEAKE - Many residents have voiced concern over littering in Lawrence County but one organization has decided to do something about it.

Operation TLC - Tidy up Lawrence County - will be conducting its first project on Saturday. More than 100 volunteers will meet at the Chesapeake Community Center at 9 a.m. to get started

on the group's mission. Ten teams will then travel to targeted litter hot spots throughout eastern Lawrence County to pick up the litter.

"We're excited," said Billie Smith, one of the group's organizers. "We want to make a difference."

As the team members pick up the litter, trucks will be sent to haul the trash to two dumpsters, one at the community center in Chesapeake and one at the old Quality Farm and Fleet parking lot in Proctorville.

"Let's get this place cleaned up and looking better," said Roger Johnson, a volunteer from Chesapeake. "We encourage people to bring whatever they can."

Smith said she urges people not to let the weather forecast discourage them. Organizers hope to have a great turnout of both adults and the youth.

"We'll be out in full force," she said.

Part of the clean-up effort includes 10 permanent signs placed around the eastern end of the county that display the group's sentiments: "Restore pride, don't let litter lie."

Funding for the initial project comes from Union and Rome townships and from the Chesapeake and Proctorville Lion's Club. Smith said they have received a lot of support from the Chesapeake and Rome trustees, local mayors, local businesses and citizen enthusiasm.

This is the group's first cleanup attempt. Smith said they are going to try to do two a year - one in October and one in March. The group also hopes to do other beautification projects in the future, such as signage, lamps and trees.

Smith said they are going to work hard and make a dent in the litter problem.

"This is the first of many to come," she said.

Operation TLC meets every third Tuesday alternating between the Chesapeake and Proctorville libraries.