Cleaning up the Thames River for 26 years

Volunteers Michael Csiki, Melissa Reinhardt and Lisa Csiki were busy on Saturday with the cleanup.

By Wendy Lamond

On Saturday, April 12, 78 volunteers showed up to help with the 26th annual Thames River Cleanup in St. Marys.

Organizer Todd Sleeper, who has run the event since its start, was happy with the turnout. Every year, dozens of bags of garbage get picked up including, this year, a lazy boy chair and a big screen TV. The most disturbing items picked up were two five-gallon pails of used motor oil.

Sleeper was an avid fisherman and canoeist and wanted to clean up the river and educate people on how to help the environment. That was when he decided to join forces with Upper Thames River Conservation Authority on an annual cleanup event.

Over the years, it has grown to have 17 communities involved with over 40 cleanup sites. All of the volunteers are greatly appreciated.

Once the cleanup is done, volunteers headed back to Milt Dunnell Field for a barbecue. Sleeper wishes to thank Hearn’s Ice Cream, Diamond Disposal, Stonetown Supplies, Tim Hortons, Giant Tiger of Stratford and the Town of St. Marys for their support.