The Darlington Garden Club and the City of Darlington will team up with the community for a Community Clean Up Day in advance of the holiday season. Meet at the Greater Darlington Chamber of Commerce on the Public Square at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20. Planned activities include trimming, weeding, planting, cleaning, and more at the Public Square, Liberty Lane, and the public parking lots.

Everyone is invited to participate. Bring work gloves and other tools if you have them.

Additionally, if you have an idea for a project or simply want to bring your civic club or church group to help, please contact the Planning Department at 843-398-4000 x 103 or darlingtonplanner@gmail.com. If you are proposing a project, you can submit the idea, supplies needed, and number of volunteers you plan to bring or attend the Beautification Board meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, at City Hall.

Participants are asked to post photos of the work using the hashtag #DarlingtonPride, so everyone can see the collective hard work being put back into our community.

Darlington native Laura Burns, organizer of the event and a member of the garden club, said the club started with the idea of an annual clean up day on the Public Square nearly six years ago.

“A city needs an involved citizenry to survive and to thrive, and I am glad to see so many people stepping up to help make our community a better place,” said Lisa Chalian-Rock, planning director for the city.

The event has grown to include two events each year (spring and fall) with several groups joining the campaign. The Darlington Garden Club, the Darlington Kiwanis Club, the Darlington Fire Department, the Boy Scouts, the Darlington Lions Club, the Darlington High School Key Club, and geocachers from Darlington, Florence, Hartsville, and Fayetteville, N.C., all have pitched in during the event over the years.

 “It is wonderful to see so many people come together for our town,” Burns said.

The Greater Darlington Chamber of Commerce will serve as the headquarters during the event. The Darlington Garden Club coordinates the Clean Up Day efforts.

If you are unable to attend the Community Clean Up Day at the Public Square this Saturday, you are encouraged to pitch in to clean up your street or neighborhood as you are able.