A bet on the table to see who can pick up the most trash has Keep Troup Beautiful hoping for big results Saturday.

“We hope people see that (local government) really does care,” said Doris Jefferson, executive director of the organization. “A cleaner city and county make a difference when people are visiting our area.”

Hogansville, West Point, LaGrange and Troup County leaders each have bet that their area will bring in the most trash. The “losers” will pay for dinner out for all three mayors, the commission chairman and their wives.

Jefferson said the effort collected 10 tons of trash in 2008, so the organization wants to beat that this year. The Great American Cleanup kicks off at 9 a.m. on Lafayette Square in LaGrange, Givorns’ parking lot in West Point and Calvin Hipp Park in Hogansville. Pre-registered cleanup crews can go directly to their sites.

Closing celebrations will be held in the three cities at 11:30 a.m., with snacks, drinks and prizes for un-usual items found.

In addition to trash, old tires will be collected at the former Main Street fire station in LaGrange. Last year, 691 tires were collected from around the county. Electronic items also may be recycled during Saturday’s event.

New this year, Hollis Hand Elementary School’s Recycling Club is sponsoring Nike’s “Reuse a Shoe” campaign. The school had to be certified by Nike to participate, and shoes are being collected through next week. Any kind of sport shoe is accepted, except cleats, flip-flops or dress shoes.

“(Hollis Hand) wanted to be involved in the cleanup,” Jefferson said.

The rubber from the shoes is ground up and used in gym and exercise equipment, including softer floor mats and other items.

“The shoe comes to life again,” Jefferson said.

— To pre-register or for more information, call the Keep Troup Beautiful office at (706) 884-9922.

Jennifer Shrader can be reached at jshrader@ lagrangenews.com or (706) 884-7311, Ext. 236.