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The name speaks for itself: Keep Suffolk Beautiful. And what a fine job this group of volunteers does in achieving its mission.

Less than a month after a successful St. Patrick’s Day-themed cleanup event downtown, Keep Suffolk Beautiful is turning its attention to perhaps the community’s most important natural resource: the Nansemond River.

The river cleanup, which will include adjacent land, is planned from 9 a.m. to noon next Saturday, focused on the downtown section of the river.

We encourage new volunteers to show up and help out the faithful. At the last river cleanup in October, volunteers collected over 2,600 pounds of trash. While we’re saddened that there was so much to be collected, we’re grateful that at least one organization is devoted to correcting the damage done by those with no pride in their community.

We agree with Keep Suffolk Beautiful board member Bill Farrell that “Suffolk is very fortunate to have a treasure like the Nansemond River.”

“It offers many recreational and inspirational opportunities for us all,” Farrell said. “But, like any treasure, it must be respected and well taken care of. Participating in the Nansemond River Cleanup is a great way to show our treasure that we appreciate what it gives to us.”

Volunteers are asked to meet a little before 9 at Constant’s Wharf to get their free litter-gathering equipment and bags.

On March 19, some 60 volunteers gathered for the St. Patrick’s Day Cleanup downtown, collecting 56 bags of trash and four tires, totaling 1,600 pounds of litter. Here’s hoping the river cleanup attracts twice as many helping hands. They are sorely needed.

Those who can’t help out next Saturday for one reason or another can do their part by being mindful of litter every day of the year. For example, Keep Suffolk Beautiful encourages businesses along Main Street to regularly clean their parking lots and empty their trash bins. Garbage on the ground will surely find its way into the nearby river, where it’s much harder to collect.