Kiwanis host 14th annual river cleanup

Kiwanis volunteers could have furnished an entire house with the junk pulled from a canyon near the Carson River during a recent cleanup.

Sofas, chairs, a kitchen stove, carpet and refrigerators were pulled out.

Along the Carson River and through the Pine Nut Mountains, people wander into the wilderness and dump their trash in convenient and free locations.

Since 1987, members of the Carson City Kiwanis hit the river and neighboring canyons to pull the stuff out. They said they are hoping at least the same number of people who lent a helping hand last year -- around 150 -- will come support Saturday's river cleanup.

Volunteers will gather at 8 a.m. at the Bureau of Land Management office, 5665 Morgan Mill Road, before being assigned to various work locations.

This year, workers will be clearing debris from the river's edge to Mexican Dam Road to Brunswick Canyon.

The Kiwanis spent $3,000 of an annual $5,000 federal grant to buy benches and tables, said Ray Frederick, Kiwanis president. The benches will be placed in Riverview Park and at a river access point near the BLM office.

"It's a community project," Frederick said. "(Volunteers) can get out and help us clean up and provide a community service.

"Plus, we make a good lunch."

Volunteers will be issued a T-shirt, bottle of water, energy bar and a lunch ticket to the Kiwanis' annual barbecue. If hamburgers and hot dogs aren't enough to tempt volunteers out their doors, Frederick points out the group offers pizza, freshly made in the Kiwanis' traveling oven. Work will stop and lunch will be served at 1 p.m.

The Kiwanis club is a service organization that focuses mostly on children. Frederick said several youth groups from Cub Scouts to Carson High School's Key Club will be helping at the cleanup.

Volunteers younger than 18 need a signed permission slip. Volunteers are asked to bring work gloves and are encouraged to wear sunscreen, insect repellent, long pants and boots.

IF YOU GO

What: 14th Annual Carson River Clean-up Day

When: 8 a.m. Saturday

Where: Bureau of Land Management office, 5665 Morgan Mill Road