ACB Volunteer Team
436 Volunteers Cleanup Lower Salt River
Grandpas, Girl Scouts, school kids, scuba divers, four wheelers and firefighters were some of the 436 volunteers who removed 21 tons of litter from the shorelines and waters of a 15 mile stretch of the Salt River between Granite Reef Dam and Saguaro Lake, on Saturday, October 19.
One seven-year-old boy single-handedly collected three huge bags of trash. A
Girl Scout troop discovered a tub on the shoreline. " It was really weird,
why would anyone dump a tub out by a river?" questioned ten-year-old Scout
Elizabeth Danks. About thirty scuba divers dove the waters to collect cans and
bottles. Four wheel ATV's raced back and forth, delivering more bags and supplies
to the busy volunteers.
Groups of volunteers proudly posed for pictures, with their piles of bags full
of litter. One of them was Jerry Petrie, a founder of Arizona Clean & Beautiful,
who has been there year after year to support the organization. "I want
to send a picture to all of my friends to show them that I'm still out here,
cleaning up, just like always, because I want them all to be here with me next
year," Jerry said.
John Godec was also there, lending his talents as volunteer Master of Ceremonies
and Rick Elder cooked hot dogs, as he has done for many years.
"There were more volunteers this year than there have been in a long time
and it's the volunteers that make it a success. There were a lot of committed
people here today and I found out how hard they work. This was my first year
for the Cleanup. I'm really glad that I could be a part of it," said Tamara
Foley, ASU student and one of the Arizona Clean & Beautiful volunteer organizers
of the event.
As she looked over the many pages of volunteer signups, Becky Mathews, another
ASU volunteer organizer for Cleanup explained another aspect of the day, "As
part of the Cleanup, one of the things the volunteer's do is collect data on
the types of litter they find. That data is analyzed and it plays an important
role in determining the likely cause the littering. The information is very
helpful to groups like Arizona Clean & Beautiful who look for solutions
to the litter problem."
The Lower Salt River Cleanup is a partnership between Arizona Clean & Beautiful
and The Tonto National Forest, Mesa Ranger District. It's a part of the 17th
annual International Coastal Cleanup; the oldest and largest volunteer effort
of its kind, on behalf of the marine environment. Worldwide, over three-quarter
of a million people participate in the Cleanups each year, according to The
Ocean Conservancy, organizers of the global effort.
SRP was the major sponsor for the cleanup. Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and
Zeb Pearce Companies were also sponsors. Frito-Lay, Hensley & Company, Kalil
Bottling Company, Phoenix Coca-Cola Bottling Companies, Reddy, Ice, Mega 104.3
and 99.3, and Blandford Homes participated as in-kind sponsors.
Arizona Game and Fish, U.S. Wildlife and Fish, Phoenix Parks and Recreation,
Arizona Clean & Beautiful and Tonto National Forest provided educational
displays.
"Sponsors are a very valuable part of this Cleanup. A lot of time and resources
go into this event. We want it to be a productive experience for the volunteers,
but we want it to be an enjoyable day as well. Water, soft drinks, lunches and
supplies all have to be there to make that happen. We appreciate our sponsors
who help us provide that and more. Special thanks to SRP, Hensley & Company,
and Reddy Ice, who've been with use from the very beginning," said Leandra
Lewis, Executive Director of Arizona Clean & Beautiful.
As one smiling volunteer said, "If you weren't here this year, you've gotta'
be here next year"
Thanks to all of the
volunteers!
The success of ACB programs depends on dedicated volunteers.
Fill out our Web Volunteer Form, or
OR call Arizona Clean & Beautiful at 602-262-2532.
Please help us make Arizona Clean & Beautiful!
