SPEDA’s Triple Bag Challenge encourages good environmental stewardship by rewarding cleanup efforts
One lucky student could win $500 in cash – and others a host of prizes — by picking up trash from roadways in Pulaski County during fall break Oct. 4-8.
The Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority (SPEDA) is continuing its Triple Bag Challenge on the heels of the 2021 Lake Cumberland Cleanup, hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on National Public Lands Day (Sept. 25). The cleanup event is held at locations all over Lake Cumberland in an effort to remove trash, tires, appliances and more from its shoreline.
SPEDA President and CEO Chris Girdler said his organization wanted to continue the momentum by hosting the Triple Bag Challenge in early October.
“I can’t think of a better time for us to host this challenge,” Girdler said. “Having it over fall break allows students ample time to find an area of the community to clean up without having school or extra-curricular conflicts. It’s a beautiful time of year to be outside and enjoying the immense natural beauty in our community. And it carries on the tremendous efforts of the Corps of Engineers and Eastern Kentucky PRIDE in keeping Somerset-Pulaski County clean. It’s a win-win for the environment and for our students.”
Launched in 2019, the Triple Bag Challenge is a week-long contest for all elementary through high school students living in Somerset and Pulaski County. The challenge encourages good environmental stewardship by rewarding cleanup efforts. Students who pick up three bags of trash from roadways in the community receive a chance to win one of several prizes — including $500 cash, gift cards, gas cards, and SomerSplash Waterpark passes.
Participation is simple: After registering with SPEDA, students are asked to pick up three bags of trash from any roadway in the community and post public before and after photos of their cleanup efforts to Facebook and/or Instagram using #spctriplesweep.
“The Triple Bag Challenge is a simple and easy way for students to win prizes for just a little hard work,” Girdler said. “And a little hard work from a number of students goes a long way in keeping our community beautiful. Efforts like these are how we can continue making Somerset-Pulaski County a better place to live, work and play. We want to ensure we are doing all we can as a community to make great impressions on our visitors, teach our children and youth the importance of taking care of our environment and promote personal responsibility.”
To register for the Triple Bag Challenge, call (606) 425-5409 or e-mail jessica@speda.org.