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March 31, 2016 - 12:00 PM
KELOWNA - It’s no April Fools’ Day prank. For the 20th year in a row, this Friday morning, April 1, a dedicated group of volunteers on the North Westside will head out to pick up garbage that’s landed where it doesn’t belong. The garbage blitz crew, predominantly seniors, is challenging you to do the same — spend even 20 minutes of your day spring cleaning in your neighbourhood.
The clean-up event — the 20 Minute Make Over — is the kick start to Community Clean Up Month sponsored every April by the Regional District’s Waste Reduction Office . As part of the annual clean- up effort, the WRO supplies interested groups with bags and gloves for a clean- up, and will even arrange to pick up the litter you collect when you’re done.
The Friday morning cleanup crew will consist of members of the North Westside Seniors and North Westside Communities Association. Spokesperson Lydia Reith says, “We take pride in our small communities, so it’s always a shame to find garbage dump sites and trash along our roadways from senseless people too lazy to do the right thing. We’ll be tackling a few garbage hot spots along Westside Road, plus a few notorious illegal dump sites that sadly continue to plague our pristine surroundings. Wouldn’t it be nice another 20 years from now if this kind of clean up blitz wasn’t even necessary anymore!”
Waste Reduction Facilitator Rae Stewart says, “Twenty years of cleanup is a wonderful legacy, and shows a huge level of commitment and dedication! Since the 1990’s, these volunteers have faithfully cleaned up a 30-kilometre stretch of Westside Road including Westshores, Killiney, Valley of the Sun, Fintry, and La Casa. We salute and celebrate each and every one of them! When people come together like this, we really can accomplish great things!”
Stewart adds, “You know what they say, many hands make light work. We really want to showcase how easy it is for anyone, anywhere to get involved — 20 minutes of your day, a lunch break, even a weekend group project.” Stewart adds over the years, literally thousands of residents have participated in community clean ups, from school and church groups to service organizations, families, co-workers, and friends.
To arrange your own 20 Minute Make Over or community clean up event, get free litter bags and gloves, and arrange to have the garbage you collect picked up when you’re done; contact the Regional Waste Reduction Office at 250-469-6250.
News from © iNFOnews, 2016