See litter... Pick it up.

That is the idea behind a new campaign by East Arlington Renewal, which is dedicated to the beautification and revitalization of East Arlington.

The group has organized a community clean-up Saturday, March 24. Community members, residents, businesses, schools, civic organizations, and youth groups plan to meet at 8:30 a.m. outside East Branch Library, 1624 New York Avenue.

"Picking up litter is everyone's job," said Sue Phillips, president of East Arlington Renewal. "Cleaning up our city is one of the best ways we can elevate our community."

Phillips got the idea for the clean-up from a woman who lives in east Arlington and picks up litter every day while taking long walks for exercise. East Arlington Renewal hopes to make the clean-up an annual event.

"We needed to change people's mindset," she said. "Even if you were not the one who littered, you can and should still pick it up."

Trash bags will be provided, but community members are asked to bring their own gloves.

East Arlington stretches to Collins on the west and the city's eastern boundary on the east, the railroad tracks on the north, and Arkansas on the south.

East Arlington Renewal has worked for 30 years to build strong neighborhoods and communities. Acting as a liaison between citizens and city government, it has organized a book drive, gathering more than 13,000 books and raising $23,000 for Arlington libraries. It also pushed for a police center, which opened in the mid-1990s.

"Cleaning up our community builds community spirit and brings us together," Phillips said. "East Arlington is ripe for revitalization and redevelopment, and we think this is a step in that direction."

By Sarah Bahari