The Atlantic County Clean Communities Program, administered by the Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA), announced the winners of its 2025 Fall Litter Challenge. The challenge encouraged teams to collect as much litter as possible during a designated two-week period in October.
First Place was awarded to resident Patricia Fottrell for removing 87 bags of litter; Second Place to Our Lady Star of the Sea School for removing 37 bags of litter; and Third Place was a tie between Able Acres Farm and Creative Gardeners for removing 30 bags of litter each.
“We’d like to thank all the volunteers who took the challenge to remove litter from their surrounding neighborhoods,” said Atlantic County Clean Communities Coordinator Rebecca Turygan. “Your efforts made a positive impact on our local environment.”
The top teams received mini-grants of $500, $300, and $100 in recognition of their dedication and hard work. The groups were recognized at the recent America Recycles Day Celebration hosted by ACUA on Saturday, November 15.
“We’re happy to recognize these caring citizens who spent their days and weekends improving our community,” said ACUA President Matthew DeNafo.
Nearly 70 volunteers completed a total of 19 cleanups and removed 203 bags of litter during the challenge.
A special $100 award was presented for the “Strangest Find,” which went to Patricia Fottrrell for discovering doll heads – a Halloween surprise!
ACUA began administering the Atlantic County Clean Communities program in 2005. Since then, more than 60 percent of Atlantic County roadways have been adopted. Over the last year, volunteers performed 317 cleanups, removed 1,840 bags of litter, and cleaned 445 miles.
To learn more about the litter challenge, visit www.acua.com/litterchallenge.
