Gives thanks to volunteers

Posted 9/15/17

Rock River Sweep was big success.

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Gives thanks to volunteers

Posted

Dear Editor,
The Rock River Sweep Organization would like to thank all of the volunteers who participated in this year’s Rock River Sweep in the Oregon, Byron and Grand Detour areas. Perfect weather conditions made for a pleasant morning for picking up waste from in and along the river.
The Oregon Area Rock River Sweep had about 40 people involved in the clean-up efforts on a nine mile stretch from north of Mud Creek Road down to Castle Rock State Park. Thanks to those who walked through the rocks, grass, and mud, as well as all of the boaters who hauled out boat loads of waste.
A special thanks to those who sorted each and every bag of waste to separate out the recyclables. Approximately three and a half small dump-truck loads of waste were removed, sorted, and recycled or disposed of safely. We ARE making a difference thanks to all of you!
We would also like to thank the following Oregon Area sponsors for their time, support, and services:

Sheriff Brian VanVickle and the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office, the Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department, the Oregon Park District, White Pelican Canoe Rental, Oregon Together, American Rivers, and the Rock River Trail Initiative. Thanks also to RRS Founder, Frank Masterman, Oregon City Commissioner, Terry Schuster, Grant Afflerbaugh and Rick O’Neil from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Oregon Boy Scouts and leader Ray Gruber, and all those who came out to volunteer for this event.
The Byron Area RRS was led by Mike Challis. They covered a four mile stretch of the river by foot and by boat.
This year, efforts were initiated by Ted VanSickle to start a sweep of the Rock between Castle Rock State Park and Grand Detour. We hope for volunteers and clean-up efforts in this section to grow in the coming years.
Seven other sections of the Rock River outside of Ogle County were also cleaned up on Sept. 9. The towns of Waupun, Watertown, Janesville, and Beloit (two areas) in Wisconsin, and Rockton and Rockford in Illinois participated.
Our goal is to have communities all the way up and down the Rock River coordinate and participate in annual clean up efforts to continue to improve the quality and beauty of the Rock River watershed.
Again, thank you to all who helped make the 9th Annual Rock River Sweep a success.
Sincerely,
Rock River Sweep Board:
Angela Mahoney, Mark Nehrkorn, Kayla Raper and
Steve Rypkema