Volunteers will make a clean sweep in Burien

Volunteers will make a difference in Burien by joining friends and neighbors for the city's tenth annual Clean Sweep on Saturday, April 26 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Last year more than 300 people took part in the event, which draws many returnees to spruce up Burien's downtown. In the past, groups have also given other sections of the city a spring-cleaning. Groups can avoid duplicating effort by contacting Debra George of Marketing Innovations, which is coordinating the event on behalf of Discover Burien, at 206-941-7199 in advance.

Besides feeling good about contributing to the community, Clean Sweep volunteers will be rewarded with food, prizes and other items donated by sponsors. The city of Burien and the Discover Burien Association are presenting the event. Burien Toyota is Clean Sweep's primary sponsor.

Participants are required to register at the Fire District No. 2 Station at Eighth Avenue Southwest and Southwest 151st Street in downtown Burien beginning at 8 a.m. While groups may pre-register by calling George, group leaders are required to show up at the firehouse to sign releases.

Continental breakfast will be available during the morning registration. Bottled water donated by the El Dorado West Retirement Community will also be provided.

Among the clean-up tasks are sweeping, weeding, planting flowers, picking up litter and removing graffiti.

A limited number of gloves will be supplied: work gloves from Burien Toyota and rubber gloves from Highline Community Hospital. George suggests that volunteers bring their own work gloves plus a favorite yard-work tool, such as brooms, shovels, rakes and clippers.

The Clean Sweep event will dispose of unwanted items for businesses in Burien's main downtown area. The items should be placed in the alley or in front of the business before 9 a.m. on April 26.

Businesses may call George in advance to arrange for disposal or after the event if items are inadvertently missed during pickup.

Burien Town Square is sponsoring a hotdog-style lunch at the firehouse to thank volunteers when they finish their work. Door prizes will be given away, including a free bicycle.

Discover Burien is a nonprofit organization that works on the economic development, promotion and marketing of Burien.

For more information, call 206-941-7199 or go online to www.discoverburien.com.