In a display of community and environmental stewardship, volunteers with AmeriCorps Seniors came together Saturday for the third annual Current River Clean-Up event. It was held in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
The event, which coincides with the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, not only honors the memory of those lost but also underscores the unity and spirit of helping one another that characterized that challenging time, according to organizers.
The health of the river and the preservation of its natural beauty are paramount, volunteers shared.
Kelsey Messina said she and her family came from St. Louis to Current River to float a few weeks prior and saw a post on social media about the river clean-up.
“We thought it would be a good thing for some family time and we saw there was this awesome barbecue afterward,” said Messina.
Ron and Laura Underwood, with doggie volunteer Hooper in tow, said they travel from Cleveland, Ohio, every year for the event. They said they just have a dedication to preserving the river.
“We enjoy the river and we want to see it kept clean,” explained Ron Underwood.
Jason Lott, park superintendent, emphasized the significance of this annual endeavor.
“This is the country’s first protected river, and we want to keep it that way,” he stated, underlining the importance of maintaining the river’s unique status.
One aspect highlighted during the discussions was the impact of seasonal floods on the river’s cleanliness. Lott noted floodwaters often bring with them a significant amount of trash, as items get washed into the river from various sources. The clean-up effort not only addresses the debris left by careless individuals but also targets the remnants of historic dumpsites that flood waters unearth and deposit into the river.
Fortunately, Lott said, this year had seen no major floods, resulting in a cleaner river overall.
He commended the majority of visitors for their responsible behavior.
“Most of our visitors respect the river and they want to see keep it clean and they’ll pick up other people’s trash. It’s a very small percentage that is really guilty,” said Lott.
Lucas Eddington, of Mossy Oak Properties, a long-time sponsor of the event, spoke about the satisfaction of giving back to a resource they frequently use.
“We look forward to the opportunity to give back,” he said, adding they are proud to promote the event and raise awareness about the importance of preserving the river.
Mossy Oak donated a kayak for the event which was won by volunteer Mandy Yeager.
“I cannot believe this, I never win anything,” laughed Yeager as she climbed into the new kayak.
Jennifer Rosener, AmeriCorps Seniors program director, emphasized the role of the event in engaging seniors through environmental stewardship. She mentioned the unique appeal of the river clean-up for younger seniors, helping them stay connected to their communities while contributing meaningfully.
This year, the clean-up garnered around 2,500 pounds of trash, according to Rosener, and there were around 45 volunteers.
“It is good to see familiar faces, but also great to meet new people. I am always amazed at the number of people who are willing to come out and support the clean-up,” said Rosener.