President of the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce Steve Halter expects an additional 20,000 people in town for the April 8 eclipse. If the numbers hold, the event would be the largest influx of people to the city since President George W. Bush visited in 2004.
Halter has received calls from as far afield as Japan and Italy.
He confirmed, “For a lot of people, this will be their first time in Poplar Bluff.”
Keen on making a good impression, the chamber is hosting a “Total Cleanup of the Bluff” day on Mar. 23. Volunteers will rally at the Black River Coliseum between 7 and 8 a.m. where a Kiwanis pancake breakfast will be provided.
Organizers will hand out bags, gloves, vests, and other equipment. Halter is requesting four hours of residents’ time to clean up trash and litter on the city’s entrances and major thoroughfares.
Halter said one major manufacturer in the area gathered 20 volunteers for the event.
“If you want to do something for your community, this is an opportunity to give back,” he affirmed.
Halter recalled several companies have already started some cleanup efforts. He emphasized the need to pick up trash from the roadways before the grass grows up and the Missouri Department of Transportation starts mowing. Halter observed that mowing can turn one piece into dozens of particles to clean up.
“To me, it makes a lasting impression when I see trash all over roadways,” he remembered about visiting other cities.
After the four-hour commitment, volunteers will be treated to a lunch provided by the United Gospel Rescue Mission. Halter is looking for more volunteers.
“You don’t have to sign up, just show up,” he said.