Individuals, neighborhood groups and service organizations are encouraged to participate in the second annual Great American Cleanup on April 26 in Winnebago County.

The countywide litter pickup is coordinated by Winnebago County, the city of Rockford and Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful.

“In Winnebago County last year, we coordinated hundreds of volunteers, who gave thousands of hours to clean up 75 miles of county roads and city streets. An amazing 308 tons of litter was collected,” said Lori Gummow, executive director of Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful.

The cleanup will take place from 8 a.m. to noon. Trinity Lutheran Church, 200 North First St., Rockford, will serve as the central location for volunteers to pick up supplies such as gloves, trash bags and litter tongs.

Volunteers will be treated to a free lunch at 12:30 p.m. at the church.  

Supplies will be available at other regional locations such as Harlem Township Town Hall, 819 Melbourne Ave., Machesney Park; Rockton Township Hall, 1315 North Blackhawk, Rockton; Cherry Valley Town Hall, 4875 Blackhawk Road, Cherry Valley; New Milford Village Hall, 6771 11th St., Rockford; the Winnebago County Highway Department, 424 N. Springfield Ave., Rockford; Durand Fire Department, 115 Howard St., Durand; and Pecatonica Township, 410 Reed St., Pecatonica.

Organizations, groups or individuals who want to participate should call Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful at 815-637-1343 to register by April 18.

Gummow, County Board Chairman Scott Christiansen, Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey and other municipal leaders will discuss further details at a news conference at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Winnebago County Administration Building, 404 Elm St., Room 303.