BRETTON WOODS, New Hampshire ??” With the spring season comes rain, rising temperatures and wonderful rejuvenating sunshine. As the snow recedes, we can also count on the unveiling of unsightly litter along our roads and highways. The Mount Washington Resort at Bretton Woods is pleased to participate for a second year in the Valley Pride Day roadside clean-up efforts, scheduled for May 7, 2005. In addition to coordinating a Bretton Woods community clean up that day, The Resort is an Associate Sponsor of the event, and will hold a post-clean up barbeque for local participants.

Volunteers will be armed with a brightly colored Pride Day t-shirt, trash bags, gloves, bottled water and an assigned strip of road. Clean up will take place from 8:30 to 11:00 am, followed by a celebration with an authentic hometown community barbeque hosted by the Resort. Prizes will be awarded for items such as “the most unusual piece of trash” and will include Portland Sea Dogs tickets and Hotel certificates.

Donna Woodward, Valley Pride Day Project Coordinator, began this community endeavor in 2000 with the help of 300 volunteers in eight towns in the Mount Washington Valley. The event has now grown to encompass the efforts of 25 communities from Western Maine, Northern New Hampshire and Vermont, with over 1000 volunteers expected to take part this year. “Our mission is an attempt to not only clean the roadways, but more importantly, to heighten awareness of litter problems,” said Woodward. “Last year, everyone was amazed at what had been accomplished. Families were having fun together. Children were learning not only about the work and unsightliness that litter causes, but also about community volunteerism and involvement. I see this event as a strong indicator of what communities can do to take responsibility and have fun doing it.”

For more information about how to volunteer at Valley Pride Day, please contact Bretton Woods area coordinator Sue McQueeny at 603-278-2250. To learn more about The Mount Washington Resort, please call 877-873-0626, toll free, or visit www.mtwashington.com.