The Third Annual Community Litter Challenge is Saturday, March 29. From 9 a.m. to Noon, civic clubs, organizations and student groups will be picking up litter for cash and prizes. The registration deadline is March 21.

"We are picking up litter in our city before it ends up in our neighborhood creeks and helping to increase awareness of litter as a problem," said Project Coordinator Roni Crotty. "This is our home and the destination for millions of visitors. We want Arlington to be beautiful."

There are six categories. Groups can select their own location or have one assigned to them by the Department of Engineering Services. Volunteers will also staff four drop-off locations available throughout the City where trash bags will be counted for the competition. Last year, 606 bags of litter were collected.

Cleanup kits for participants include bright yellow T-shirts, gloves and trash bags. Scout troops can earn special patches.

This year, area businesses such as General Motors, Alan Plummer Associates, and Big City Crushed Concrete have donated for cash prizes for winners.

All participants of the Community Litter Challenge will be included in a drawing for donated door prizes such as restaurant coupons, free tickets to Six Flags Over Texas and the Fort Worth Zoo.

For more information, call 817-459-6587.

Bags of litter collected on Saturday, March 29, will be taken to the following locations and counted to determine cash prize winners:

• Elzie Odom Recreation Center at 1601 N.E. Green Oaks Blvd.
• University of Texas at Arlington Maverick Stadium Parking Lot at 1225 W. Stadium
• S.J. Stovall Park at 2800 W. Sublett Road
• Cravens Park at 5701 Matlock