by Sylene Argent
Kingsville received a spring spruce up on Saturday, as the Rotary Club of Kingsville Southshore hosted a community-wide clean-up.
Community members were invited to join members of the Rotary Club of Kingsville Southshore throughout the municipality – garbage bag in tow – to participate in the community spruce up that was sure to spark a sense of community pride in all who rolled up their sleeves to take part in the initiative.
As part of this community clean-up, the Rotary Club of Kingsville Southshore Rotary asked the Rotary Club of Cottam to look after the clean-up initiative taking place in that portion of the community.
Cottam Rotarian Crystal Heinrichs was pleased to welcome community members to Ridgeview Park, who are then dispersed throughout the small hamlet in search of litter and debris. She noted seven groups participated, and she was pleased with that interest.
Those who took part in the Cottam portion of the community-wide clean-up brought their full garbage bags back to Ridgeview Park, where members of the Rotary Club of Cottam collected them, then joined the Rotary Club of Kingsville Southshore in hauling the garbage bags to Pelee Island Winery, where they were all weighed.
According to its social media, over half- a-ton of garbage was collected by 120 individuals. A barbeque lunch and a chance to listen to live music from James Staley was hosted as an after clean-up celebration.
Weighing all of the garbage bags provided community members a sense of how much litter and debris was removed from their parks and public spaces because of their efforts, Heinrichs noted.
The Rotary Club of Cottam presented youths who participated in the Cottam-portion of the clean-up with pens and parents received swag bags as a thank you for volunteering.
The event was held in April as this month is recognized as Environmental Month, in addition Earth Day is April 22.
The significance of hosting a community wide clean-up, Heinrichs said, is wanting to teach youths the importance of taking care of their community.
Looking ahead, the Rotary Club of Cottam is looking forward to participating in the Town of Kingsville's Cottam Block Party, an open streets event, on June 15.