By Cecilia Nasmith

Cheryl Beatty of the Harwood Memorial Hall and Park board says their Earth Week Roadside Garbage Pickup fundraiser is a win-win kind of deal.

It gives the community a spring clean-up and is a vital fundraiser for the Harwood Memorial Hall and Park.

Unlike most community halls, which are municipally owned and receive some municipal funds toward their operation, Beatty explained, Harwood Hall is community-owned and -operated, and its fundraisers are key to their remaining open.

Beatty is pleased to announce that, once again, Canadian Tire has sponsored some amazing prizes for the top fundraisers – a 40” Westinghouse Smart TV for the team raising the most money, a 32” Smart TV for the individual raising the most money, and a six-person Outbound tent for the runner-up spot raising the most money (individual or team).

The action is centred around Earth Week, April 21 to 28, but they are already gearing up to go.

Donna Cole (905-342-5464) has pledge forms and will make the assignment of areas that need a pick-up. Participants can report to Harwood Hall (5453 Front St.) Friday, April 19, between 6 and 7 p.m. to pick up garbage bags, gloves and other necessary equipment (or, if you can't be there at that time, contact Cole or event chair Heidi Hagell at 905-342-3372 to arrange pick-up).

Organizers are hoping kids, grown-ups, families and groups will come together so they can really spruce things up – and share the experience by joining the Harwood Memorial Park – Rice Lake group on Facebook and posting their photos.

To celebrate their work, the board is hosting a community barbecue in their honour Sunday, April 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. This is where the workers drop off their pledge forms and money collected – and along with the three big prizes, door prizes will also be awarded. For those participants who can't attend, contact Cole or Hagell to arrange a drop-off time for your pledges).

The Harwood community has always relied on its hall to host the kind of events that bring people together, Beatty said. Their support of this particular initiative is one way to ensure they can keep the doors open.