Join the Solution: 2nd Saturday Cleanups resume this coming Saturday

By Tom Peterson

Second Saturday Cleanups is opening up its third season this Saturday, March 11, as Columbia Gorge Toyota & Honda is partnering once again with The Dalles Beautification Committee to clean up The Dalles. 

“It’s really our favorite community event that we do,” said Rachel Carter with Columbia Gorge Motors. “It gives the opportunity for groups and businesses to give back to the community.” 

During the past 2 years, 455 people have volunteered at 20 different clean ups removing some 25 truckloads of trash from local parks and areas including Kramer Field, Mill Creek, Riverfront Trail and roadsides along The Dalles’ most traveled thoroughfares. 

“It’s a humbling thing to do,” Rachel said of picking up trash. “And it really makes a difference.”

Carter who is also on the Northern Wasco County Parks and Recreation Board said the effort all goes toward improving the livability of the town. 

This coming weekend the Scouts and Columbia Bank will be providing volunteers, but there is still plenty of space open for those who want to join in making The Dalles a better place to live. 

Just show up at 10 a.m. at Thompson Park next to The Dlallers Swimming Pool, 602 W. Second St., The Dalles. Wear comfortable but durable clothing. Bags and protective gloves will be provided. 

Volunteers will be focusing on the Little League field areas at Kramer Field on Saturday. 

High School students working to fulfill their community service for graduation are encouraged to attend. They can bring their hours verified on signed off for their volunteer effort.

Rachel said she has worked with TDHS’ Jim Taylor to ensure this would qualify.  

Cleanups over the past couple of years have removed many tires and refuse left behind from camping, she said. The most common items found are COVID masks and cigarette butts. 

Rachel said the program was a natural fit for the dealership which gives back to the community on multiple levels, including sports with a vehicle giveaway. 

Columbia Motors Toyota Honda’s mission dovetailed with the Beautification Committee’s to make The Dalles look better and thus a better place to live, she said.  

“The solution is get your hands dirty and get involved,” she said. “It’s fun. You get to meet others from like minded businesses and organizations. It’s encouraging at the end to see how much trash can be removed in 2 hours. When people work together than can do some really big things in a short amount of time.”

“People can put in 2 hours and go away feeling pretty good and have the rest of their weekend to do other things.” 

Based on the truckloads of trash already removed, some 50 yards have been taken off trails and parks and common areas where people go to relax or enjoy a pastime. 

And it’s making the community a safer place for everyone as common areas are cleaned of trash that could be potentially harmful to others. 

Rachel gave a big shout-out to The Dalles Disposal which has taken the trash free of charge since in the inception of the program. 

Cleanups will continue the second Saturday of each month through November.

For more information about volunteering, call Rachel at (208) 757-3632

Results of 2 Years of Cleanups

Here are the areas where litter cleanups have taken place: 

• West 6th Street  (11x)

• West 2nd Street/Mill Creek/Thompson Park/Big 5 area  (8x)

• Downtown (3x)

• Boat Dock to Webber Street (1x)

• Old Dufur Rd./Hwy 197  (1x)

• Parks and Rec area by Safeway/Along Mill  Creek    (2x)

• East Roundabout to Big Jim’s  (1x)

• Chenowith Creek/Riverfront Trail   (1x)         

• St.Mary’s School/Up Cherry Hts.   (1x)

• Walnut St/Center Mkt. area/Kramer Field/West 7th  (2x)

• Cherry Hts./Fred Meyer to Thompson Park  (1x)

And most importantly - here are the groups that have volunteered. Let ‘em know you appreciate their work.

Boy Scouts

Main Street Organization

Copper West

Herbal Apothecary

District 21 School Board

Mayor and City Council Members

Columbia Bank

First Interstate Bank

LDS Church

POP Indivisible Group

Lions Club

UCC Church

Watershed Council

CGCC

Wasco Co. Democrats

TDHS Students and Dean

Wasco Co Republicans

St. Mary’s School

Girl Scouts

MCMC Health Foundation

Studio Fit

(In addition to organizations and businesses, several unaffiliated individuals typically attended.)