Volunteers Clean 5½ Tons Of Trash From Beaver Creek

Parent Mac McElroy, left, and teacher Andrew Hicks, right, from The Academy at King College work on cleaning up a section of Beaver Creek near Exit 7.

By: Amy Hunter | TriCities.com
Published: September 28, 2008

Nearly 200 people joined forces early Saturday and heaved 5½ tons of trash from the creek that runs through downtown Bristol.

“My best find was an old sleeping bag,” said Tom Hanlon, who came to the 9th annual Beaver Creek Cleanup at 9 a.m. Saturday with a group from Rivers Way Outdoor Center. “For me, it was a very satisfying moment – ’cause it was a big hunk of junk.”

Groups from various Bristol clubs and schools participated in the annual event put on by Keep Bristol Beautiful, said Genette Patton, who helped organize it. And despite the rain, Patton said this year’s turnout was even better than the year before.

“It’s been wonderful – in spite of the rain,” she said while serving lunch around noon to the large group of hungry volunteers. “About 175 people came out, and the creek is much cleaner.”

Hanlon said it was the first time he’d brought a group from his center, but added that folks from Rivers Way try to participate in several community service projects per year.

“If we don’t all do something about our community, then our community will fall apart,” he said.

A large group of Vance Middle School students agreed. Ross Walker, who heads the school’s Save the Planet Club, said he came with about 40 students and teachers for the third year in a row.

And according to the students, Hanlon’s sleeping bag was not the most interesting piece of trash plucked from the muddy waters.

“I was right there when they found an arm bone,” said Rhett Murrell, who was one of several students who found something resembling an arm bone, although no one was sure what it was or where it came from. “We had gloves on.”

The students also found a refrigerator and an EZ bake oven. It was the prospect of interesting finds that drew them on a drizzly morning, they said.

“We found a lot of cool stuff last year, so it was fun to come out and see what would happen this year,” said Brandon Ahmed, 13. “Plus, it feels good to come out and work for the community.”

ahunter@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2531