PROCTORVILLE -Operation TLC (Tidy up Lawrence County) is preparing for their semi-annual cleanup on Oct. 1, in their continued mission to help clean the county.

Operation TLC is a group of volunteers with a goal - to restore pride and beauty to Lawrence County. During the group's kick-off campaign this past May, they had 75 volunteers come out to help and they collected 150 bags of trash. The group also erected signs around eastern Lawrence county reminding residents not to "let litter lie."

"It's a weekly chore," TLC president Billie Smith said of keeping the roadways clean.

"The last time, we had 75 people; we'd love to have 100 this time to complete our teams."

Like the last clean up, the group will have 10 teams that will be assigned to "hot spots" in the Chesapeake and Proctorville areas. The starting point will be the Lawrence County Fairgrounds with coffee and donuts at 9 a.m. There will also be volunteers collecting money for beautification efforts.

T-shirts will be again given to volunteers and Smith asked that those who volunteered last time wear their shirts the day of the clean up, so shirts will be available to new volunteers.

Smith said that they had a lot of volunteers last time from local organizations such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes of Fairland High School, the Kiwanis Club, the Chesapeake Lions Club, the Chesapeake and Rome trustees and Judge Donald Capper and his community service workers - and they would like to get more school groups involved in the project.

Smith said they look forward to a bigger and better cleanup this time. By seeing more people and groups coming out, she said it shows that more people are becoming concerned and aware.

"Everybody's concerned about it," Smith said of the trash problem.

On Oct. 15, the Union Township Trustees will have dumpsters available at a designated area to receive large items such as couches, chairs and old appliances. Residents can contact Rick Gue at (304) 617-2849, Mike Curry (740) 867-4357 or Terry Porter at (740) 867-4648.

In August, TLC hosted a "Bar-B-Que for the Businesses" to show their appreciation. Fifty five people attended the event at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds where TLC asked them to "get on board" and join the group in their beautification efforts. According to Smith the response was positive and encouraging.

Bill Dingus was the guest speaker at the event. Dingus presented drawings of the planned Riverwalk community.

Volunteers are still needed for the upcoming clean up, if you would like to volunteer, or would like more information about TLC, contact vice-president Taunya Wilson at (740) 886-5456.

"We're looking forward to another great community event," Smith said.