Second annual Rock River Sweep organizers thank volunteers

Dear Editor,

On behalf of the Forward Oregon Rock River Sweep Planning Committee, we would like to thank all the sponsors and volunteers who made the second annual Rock River Sweep an incredible success.

The sponsors who donated monies, supplies, or time include Exelon, the Oregon Fire Department, the Oregon Park District, Oregon School District, Nancy Crandall and Boy Scout Troop #52 for preparing and serving food, Supervalu, Conover Bakery, Pat Donahue of Stillman Bank, Andy and Kristen Arvigo from Expression Wear, Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department, American Rivers, and Tracy Morris for her delicious cupcakes.

Almost 90 volunteers showed up on Saturday, Aug. 31, to help this community clean its river banks in an effort to preserve the health and ecosystem of the Rock River.

With the help of Oregon Park District employees and their trucks, volunteers were able to round up enough garbage to fill two dump trucks.

Volunteers then went through each and every bag of garbage to ensure that any recyclable material was separated for recycling, and the remainder was disposed of properly.

Among the items found were five tires, a lawnmower, a car battery, a child’s bike, assorted metal and rebar, 2 - 55-gallon plastic barrels, construction lumber, and a bench.

Approximately 50 garbage bags were filled with glass, plastic, and aluminum for recycling.

Several local boaters also helped in the cleanup effort.

These people were able to clean up floating debris and areas of the river that were inaccessible by foot.

We hope to get more boaters involved next year.

We were thrilled with all the groups of students and adults alike who made this event an important one.

Students who participated represented a variety of groups including Boy Scout Troop #52, Oregon High School FFA, Oregon High School Key Club, DLR Rahn Student Council, and Kishwaukee College.

Other groups represented included the Oregon Church of God, Friends of Paul Holland Pool, Kiwanis, as well as each individual resident who came out on their own to help with this grassroots effort.
 As part of the First Annual Great Rock River Sweep, all the communities involved had to reschedule due to severe flooding.