Volunteers Come Out In Force To Help Clean Up

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

A local crew of volunteers got an early start on Saturday morning, May 22. They gathered at Hafen Park in Mesquite to help the Virgin River Coalition with their first ever Virgin River Cleanup Day.

The plan was to clean the area behind Hafen Park down to the river, among some pretty heavy brush and a spot further down Hafen where the tamarack bushes had been removed. In that area, there was an abandoned homeless camp that contained a large amount of debris and trash.

The helpers came wearing long pants and gloves. They were given long handled grabbers provided by Kokopelli ATV Club to use. The local Rotary Club members were there, Kokopelli ATV Club was well represented with workers along with a general number of good citizens.

Jeri Lynn Benell, coordinator of the Virgin River Coalition gave instructions and announced that there would be a drawing for helpers and a contest for “trash treasurers” found. Stan Harger with the Mohave County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue was also there to help Benell’s efforts and pick up all the full trash bags.

The 42 volunteers completed their mission to clean up the entire area of the abandoned homeless camp. With gusto the hard-working volunteers proceeded to fill and overflow a 20-yard dumpster as well as 41 trash bags.

Keith Buchhalter from the Rotary Club of Mesquite said, “Rotary is happy to partner with Virgin River Coalition for the River Cleanup. We want to help our community to stay clean and safe.”

Treasure winners were Mike Gill taking 1st & 2nd place. He had found what looked like a homemade bracelet or necklace of metal charms, and a green glass frog. Third place went to Aden and Mike Swink for a unique feather with an interesting metal part.

Volunteer Tyler Kelly won the drawing for dinner at a local restaurant.

The Virgin Valley Coalition expresses appreciation to all the wonderful volunteers, the City of Mesquite and Virgin Valley Disposal for their help in making this project a success.

“The Virgin Valley River Coalition purpose is to develop and implement the watershed plan to improve the human benefits and ecological health of the Virgin River for future generations of residents, businesses, recreational users, farmers and ranchers,” said Benell.

The organization work is funded through grants and deploys a volunteer workforce to accomplish its goals, Benell said.

The Coalition expects to have another cleanup project in September. For more information call 702-493-3944 or email virginrivercoalition@gmail.com.