Sullivan Renaissance was created with the mission to enhance the appearance of Sullivan County while building a sense of pride and community spirit. We were founded on the belief that how a place looks influences how a person feels about that place; whether they are someone who lives there; is visiting; or just passing through.

We often reference Jeff Speigler of “Revitalize or Die,” who is intense in his writing on this subject. He says,“ I’ve had first-hand experience of seeing how when the appearance of a city changes, the way people feel about their city changes. As dilapidated buildings get renovated and empty storefronts fill up, people’s relationship with their town begins to shift. Just as when you join the gym, when you start seeing changes in the mirror, you begin feeing different about yourself, you start feeling a little more pride and self-esteem. When the everyday appearance of a city changes, people feel differently about it. They begin to care about it, they begin to take pride in it, they begin to engage with it.”

Speigler goes on to say that it does not require millions in investment to change the appearance of a place. It should, and needs to, start small. That has been our mantra at Sullivan Renaissance for 22 years. 

What is the simplest way that we can spruce up? We can pick up. Litter that is. Combine it with an afternoon or evening stroll; or a weekly outing. 

Actually, let’s step back and ask, in the kindest way, that we put litter in its place right at the start. 

If you are a business, provide a place for cigarette butts.

If you are a municipality, implement a roadside clean-up and support volunteer efforts to litter pluck.

If you are a restaurant, help spread the message that disposable containers and cups do not belong along our beautiful country roads, ditches and streams. 

Put trash in its place so it doesn’t become litter.

The photo is of an actual place here in Sullivan County. And it is not unique. Each spring reveals the roadside litter and dumping grounds that are left behind by people who litter. And each spring, volunteers emerge to tackle this blight.

Sullivan County’s litter program will continue through the end of June. (It ends at that time due to traffic and safety on the roads.) 

For information on supplies to help with your litter clean up contact Brian Scardefield, director of parks and beautification, at Sullivan County Parks and Recreation. [You can email him at SCParks@sullivanny.us or call him at 845/807-0287.]

At Sullivan Renaissance, we are committed to repeating the message that litter is an offense to our towns and our natural beauty, and is in direct conflict with the work of our volunteers to build beautiful, active communities.

Thank you to all of the volunteers who greeted spring with litter pluckers and trash bags in hand to clean up roads, parks, streams and rivers; and our municipal leaders who have made combating litter a priority in their towns.

Denise Frangipane is the executive director of Sullivan Renaissance.