Colfax Cleanup week enrolls schools, many organizations

City of Colfax in collaboration with the Colfax Chamber of Commerce, Whitman County Library, Colfax Arts Council, Colfax School District and Colfax Rotary will conduct the first annual Community Cleanup Week April 16-21.

“We would like to come together as a community to clean up our city for the coming summer,” Colfax Mayor Todd Vanek said.

Scheduling the event during Whitman County’s Spring Cleanup, April 16-28, will give residents the opportunity to dispose of yard clutter at the landfill for half price.

Colfax Chamber President Kathy Mayer said the Chamber is of exploring potential opportunities for a downtown revitalization project.

The Colfax Branch Library is teaming with Whitman County Recycling to offer a composting class Wednesday, April 18, at 7 p.m. in the Norma McGregor Meeting Room. Participants will learn how to produce rich organic compost while reducing yard waste and garbage.

Colfax Arts Council will sponsor a beautification project for downtown buildings. Interested building owners may contact the Arts Council for recommendations about how to spruce up the front of their buildings while keeping with their historical design. Business owners can contact the Arts Council to set up a consultation with volunteers.

Colfax elementary students will plant flowers in the front of Jennings Elementary and pick up trash and leaves on playgrounds, around buildings, and the football field.

High school students will be encouraged to continue recycling efforts of paper, cardboard, aluminum, tin and plastic bottles.

“We are excited to have the schools participate in such a great cause for the community,” Supt. Michael Morgan said.

Morgan said volunteers will be welcome to help remove a portion of the shrubs at the north end of the football field and install a drip system for a new planting starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 21.

Colfax Rotary co-presidents Jon Kehne, and Al Kirkpatrick said the Rotary Club has scheduled a clean up of their Henry Little League baseball field and Soccer fields for that week.

Event Organizers are currently looking for individuals, clubs, organizations and groups that would like to volunteer and help clean up Colfax.

Other groups who would like to get involved can contact Mayor Vanek at mayor@ci.colfax.wa.us or Commerce President Mayer at colfaxchamber@gmail.com