Rock River Sweep welcoming volunteers

Kids Picking Up Trash in Field

By Marianne Mueller

REPORTER

Loren Floto and Tricia Nelson are teaming up once again as organizers of the Rock River Sweep which is returning in its seventh year on Sept.10. Since first getting involved the Rockton community has made great progress in keeping sections of a 10-mile stretch along the Rock River clean.

This event is the perfect opportunity to show pure community pride. Form a team to volunteer in making the sections along a ten mile stretch along the Rock River cleaner.  Workers may choose to pick up garbage, debris, recyclables, or other interesting items by walking around banks, or to go out in canoes, kayaks, or boats in order to reach the islands.

The Rock River Sweep is a perfect service project for churches, Scout troops, schools, groups, organizations or individual volunteers. Action happens from 9 a.m. until noon.

Check in at the picnic shelter in Settlers park to receive clean up assignments, gloves, trash bags and insect repellent. Long sleeve shirts, old shoes, a hat or a cap, and drinking water create an even better and more positive experience!

Organizer Loren Floto encourages everyone to bring small plastic bags to keep aluminum cans in. Anyone who may have gloves from last year’s event is welcome to return them for laundering allowing them to be reused in the future.

Bonus fun follows as participants meet back at the shelter around noon for refreshments, pizza, watermelon and a chance to win a door prize generously donated by area supportive induvial and businesses.

Last year an estimated 2,500 lbs. of debris, of which about 150 lbs. were recycled. Eight  tires and 1 inner tube, a wrestling mat, an old computer monitor, a large plastic drum, some scrap iron, fishing gear, Styrofoam items, rusted cans, parts of docks, and way too many plastic bottles and pop cans to count were picked up and collected by 64 volunteers.

Positive results have come from past Rock River Sweep events. “Every year the amount of trash picked up decreases,” said Rockton Village President, Dale Adams.

Trustee Jodi May served as a first time Rock River Sweep volunteer last year. “The event was very well organized,” lauded May.

The Rock River Sweep is part of a coordinated effort to clean up the Rock River from its source in Wisconsin to the mouth at the Mississippi River.

Questions regarding the Rock River Sweep may be directed to Loren Floto at 815-289-1152, or by sending a message via email [email protected]. Tricia Nelson may also be contacted at (815) 540-8187.  Full details can be found at www.rockriversweep.org.