Suffolk and other Hampton Roads cities are getting ready to “Team Up 2 Clean Up” in support of the Great American Cleanup — the largest grassroots community program nationwide, according to the press release.

There will be Hampton Roads cleanup events on May 3 and 4 through the partnership between askHRgreen and Keep Virginia Beautiful. Hundreds of volunteers will clean up local parks, waterways and recreational areas for better, greener spaces.

“The Great American Cleanup is a shining example of how lasting, positive change happens when people work together,” Keep Virginia Beautiful Executive Director Mike Baum stated in the press release. “All cities and counties in Hampton Roads will benefit from the beautification projects to take place this spring.”

AskHRgreen.org has coordinated with the region’s municipalities to identify “transformational” community improvement projects, according to the press release.

Regional Project Chairman Wayne Jones stated in the press release that the idea is to connect Hampton Roads volunteers with projects that will be meaningful to their community.

“If you live in Suffolk, for instance, and wish to volunteer for a project close to your home, you can do that,” Jones stated. “Hampton Roads businesses also will be invited to form their own cleanup teams to work on projects as a group.”

Jones and others with Keep Suffolk Beautiful are organizing different volunteer opportunities across the city for May 3 and 4.

“This is a great opportunity to do something for your city, so please come to one of our events or, better yet, organize your own,” Keep Suffolk Beautiful chairwoman Kathy Russell stated in the press release.

Volunteers will be provided the necessary safety wear and other equipment for the cleanups.

The following are Suffolk’s Great American Cleanup activities for May 3:

• Volunteers will create and plant a blueberry bed from 9 a.m. to noon at the community garden at East Suffolk Recreation Center, 138 S. Sixth St.
• Volunteers will meet at 569 E. Constance Road to clean up Portsmouth Boulevard from 9 a.m. to noon. They will also collect interesting “trash” for scrap artist Sam Hundley, who will make an art piece using trash from all of the Hampton Roads cleanups. Visit samhundley.com for find out more about Hundley’s work.

The following are Suffolk’s Great American Cleanup activities for May 4:

• The Nansemond River Preservation Alliance will partner with Keep Suffolk Beautiful for maintenance of the riparian buffer and native plant arboretum at 4700 Sleepy Hole Road. Volunteers will mulch, prune and weed from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
• Volunteers will meet in the parking lot of Morgan Memorial Library at 443 W. Washington St. to get equipment and clean up downtown. This kid-friendly cleanup will be from 9 to 11 a.m.
• Volunteers will meet in the parking lot of East Suffolk Recreation Center at 138 S. Sixth St. to get equipment and clean up the local community. This kid-friendly cleanup will be from 9 to 11 a.m.

Visit facebook.com/keepsuffolkbeautiful for a full listing of Suffolk volunteer opportunities, or for more information contact Wayne Jones by email at littercontrol@suffolkva.us or call 514-7604. For more information on the Great American Cleanup, visit askhrgreen.org/great-american-cleanup.