City of Garland News Release:

Record Numbers Participate in Garland Trash Off

How much litter can a group of volunteers collect in 3 hours? In Garland 600 volunteers can collect more than 4 tons of litter on a sunny Saturday morning, while enjoying the great outdoors and participating in a project that helps beautify all of Garland.
 
Keep Garland Beautiful hosted the Don’t Mess With Texas Trash Off on April 10 and witnessed a record turnout to pick up litter in neighborhoods, around schools, in parks and along streets. More than 500 volunteers returned to Granger Recreation Center for the Volunteer Appreciation Picnic, door prizes and awards.
 
Nicholas Hasselschwert turned in four full bags to win the award for Most Litter Collected by an Individual. Nicholas mentioned that he collects litter almost every weekend. LDS Church Fourth Ward won the prize for signing up 150 volunteers and returning the most litter. They returned 103 bags and countless other items too large to bag. The Garland High School National Honor Society won the Most Unusual Item Found Award for retrieving a child’s pink and purple bicycle buried in mud in a creek.
 
"Volunteers working for a common cause can make a real difference in a city’s appearance," remarked Lorrie Reeves, City of Garland Environmental Waste Services Project Coordinator. "We appreciate everyone who picked up litter and celebrated with us. We also thank our sponsors who helped make our event successful."