Walgreens Volunteers Clean up Scenic Drive

Today was the first clean up to kick off Walgreens, once a month, yearlong commitment to a cleaner and more beautiful El Paso. Walgreens Community Leader, Robert Alvarez, joined more than twenty volunteers from Walgreens to collect trash along Scenic Drive.

I grabbed this photo while making my way up the hill with a trash bag of my own. As a member of the Newman Park Neighborhood Association (which borders Scenic) I try to periodically do my part and collect trash around the neighborhood. What is so rewarding about Walgreens commitment to cleaning up El Paso is their interest in Scenic, one of the city's most trafficked routes for tourism, but a street that not all of the volunteers necessarily live by. Thank you to all the volunteers who showed up from all corners of El Paso.

Visit newmanpark.blogspot.com for news and information on upcoming clean ups along Scenic Drive.

Click here to read the press release announcing the partnership between Keep El Paso Beautiful and Walgreens.

Press Release: Walgreen's Adopts Scenic Drive, help clean scenic drive this Sunday

WHO:Keep El Paso Beautiful in partnership with the local Walgreens, the City of El Paso, and the Hunt Family Foundation are working together to keep one of El Paso’s greatest assets, Scenic Drive, free of litter and debris.

WHAT:Walgreens is leading by example and giving back to the community by partnering with KEPB and the City to clean up Scenic Drive. This Sunday is the first clean up to kick off Walgreens, once a month, yearlong commitment to a cleaner and more beautiful El Paso. Walgreens Community Leader, Robert Alvarez, said it is important to give back to your community and participate in efforts to keep El Paso beautiful.

WHEN: Sunday, February 13, 2011 beginning at 10 a.m. until noon

WHERE: Walgreens volunteers will be meeting at 10 a.m. at the entrance of Scenic Drive at the top of Rim Road. The clean up will be taking place during Scenic Sunday when Scenic Drive is closed to vehicular traffic.

WHY: During the day, Scenic Drive offers an exquisite view of El Paso and Juarez. At night, it is lovely view of the unending lights from the stars, two sister cities and two different countries. Unfortunately, Scenic Drive is daily trashed with fast food bags, beer cans, plastic and glass bottles, cigarettes, cups, and plastic bags. As one of El Paso’s premier places to visit and take out of town guests it is extremely important to keep Scenic Drive pristine. “I am thrilled that Walgreens has come on board with KEPB. Their commitment to cleaning up one of El Paso’s greatest assets will have a positive impact on the quality of life for all El Pasoans. Hopefully this will start a trend that other businesses will follow.” said Katherine Gunter-Palafox, Executive Director of KEPB.

If you’d like more information about this event, or to schedule an interview, please contact Katherine Gunter-Palafox at (915) 472-2985 or at kpalafox@elp.rr.com