When Karen Hume took over as Operation P.R.I.D.E.’s interim director a few weeks ago, her first order of business was to find $5,000 for a new lawn mower as soon as possible.

So, the longtime Operation P.R.I.D.E. event coordinator picked up the telephone. Before the grass had grown another centimeter, Mary Cohron, president of Citizens First Bank, and Vicki Fitch, executive director of the Bowling Green Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, had together pledged the money needed to pay for the mower, which will be used by Warren County Regional Jail inmates to mow along seven entry roads into the city.

&#8220We want our community to look beautiful for the visitors that come in,” Fitch said. &#8220If they see poor-looking entry corridors with weeds growing up and trash everywhere … then they probably won’t like it very much here because they won’t feel like we care about our community.”

Someone from the Convention and Visitors Bureau has always occupied a seat on the Operation P.R.I.D.E. board of directors, Fitch said, but the organization doesn’t often contribute financially to the cause. In this situation, however, it felt like a good idea.

&#8220Especially when things are just mowed and neat and clean, people say, ‘Oh, this is such a pretty community,’ and they can tell we take pride in where we live,” she said. &#8220We felt like it was a natural for us to participate in that.”

Likewise, Cohron’s organization has long supported the concept of Operation P.R.I.D.E., but this is the first time the bank is a financial backer.

&#8220We support Operation P.R.I.D.E. because we think they’ve done some wonderful things in terms of improving the appearance of some of the gateways into Bowling Green,” she said. &#8220We were happy to be able to help (Hume) out.”

Although they may be best known for facilitating the maintenance of grassy areas along Cemetery Road and other entry corridors, Operation P.R.I.D.E., founded by former Mayor Johnny Webb during his 1992 to 1995 term, is responsible for more than that.

Funded by money from the city, county and private businesses and citizens – names that line Cemetery Road on &#8220Partners with P.R.I.D.E.” signs – the organization works with the city on Keep it Clean Bowling Green, an anti-litter, pro-recycling initiative in local schools; manages the L&N Depot on Kentucky Street, including scheduling weddings, parties, and receptions that take place there; and recently joined with neighbors in the Old Morgantown Road area for &#8220Envision Forest Park,” an ongoing effort to beautify that area of the city, Hume said.

&#8220For me, what Operation P.R.I.D.E. has done for Bowling Green and Warren County is given us that extra, has made it so the community can afford something a little bit better,” said Jeff Moore, board president.

Additionally, Hume said, Operation P.R.I.D.E. is preparing to upgrade the city’s &#8220welcome” signs and offers an anonymous way to report a neighbor for code violations – while the city’s code enforcement department requires a name and address for each complainant, Operation P.R.I.D.E. is willing to take anonymous complaints and funnel them to code enforcement officials.

The organization’s goal for the next year is to reach out to the community and make clear what it is that drives Operation P.R.I.D.E., Moore said. As part of that goal, the board is looking into offering volunteer opportunities with the organization, and working to reward those who make city beautification a regular part of their daily routine.

-For more information or to volunteer, call Operation P.R.I.D.E. at 745-0090.