1st Annual Current River Cleanup

Volunteers pulled nearly a 1/2 ton of trash out of Current River as part of a 9/11 National Day of Service project held by the AmeriCorps Seniors of Butler and Carter counties.

The event featured volunteers collecting trash in and along the Current River by boat, kayak, canoe and on foot. About 60 people registered at Watercress Park to help and items were collected at Big Spring where volunteers were treated to food, music and prizes.

“With this being our first event in Carter County, we were very grateful for the community’s support and all the volunteers that came out to help,” said Jennifer Rosener, Director of the Butler and Carter County AmeriCorps Seniors, formerly RSVP.

In all there was 1,450 pounds of trash removed from the river by volunteers Saturday. Items included tires, furniture, household items, a street lamp and metal siding.

Rosener said the event was made possible with the help of corporate sponsor Mossy Oak Properties Mozark Realty. She also thanked a number of individuals who helped with the event:

Dave Tobey and Ozark Riverways Foundation for a kayak donated as a prize;

Rick Mansfield for other prizes, advice and tips; Jack Ficker and his family for running their boat Friday and Saturday pulling nearly 2,000 pounds of trash from the river;

Jason Lott and the Ozark National Scenic Riverways National Park for all the support;

Missouri Stream Team for the supplies and items volunteers were able to receive;

The Butler County Community Resource Council staff and coworkers for their help;

“Like most Americans, Sept. 11 is a day that will never be forgotten, that’s the reason behind the National Day of Service,” Rosener said. “Saturday was a great tribute to those who lost their lives that day and also those who served in some capacity by volunteering to do something good when faced with such evil.

“We hope to continue this project as an annual event.”