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UHS students clean Frio River


Fifteen members of the Uvalde High School class of 2022 and four accompanying adults picked up 59 bags of trash and several abandoned canopies and chairs between Seven Bluff and Kenneth Arthur Crossings last Sunday in Concan.

Raising $950 for their booster club, the group removed 600 pounds of refuse from the Frio River and its banks through the Uvalde County volunteer river cleanup program.

Through the program, members of the public may sign up a group of people to clean a section of the river; they will be awarded $10 per person, per hour of approved scheduled cleanup, to the charity of their choice.

“Every week we see different trends with the trash on the river. Sometimes it’s glass bottles, unfortunately, and sometimes it’s cans or water bottles or the small plastic 4-ounce cups,” said Johnette Gonzales, river cleanup coordinator at Texas Hill Country River Region, Inc. “Lately we’ve seen a lot of the canopies and uninflated tubes, that are difficult for the volunteers to remove and carry down to a dumpster. These groups are definitely doing their part, though.”

For Summer 2019, more than 200 volunteers have tubed, kayaked or waded the Frio, Nueces and Sabinal Rivers to pick up trash and earn money for a favorite non-profit group in the process.

“This is not only a great way to give back to the community with time and raise money for charity, but it’s also a great team-building opportunity,” said Annabell McNew, executive director of Texas Hill Country River Region. “We have had a great response from local and out-of-town groups wanting to sign up. This is a perfect match for employee volunteer programs, church retreats, school, and sports groups and other civic organizations looking for fun service projects.”

McNew also said the program offers a great way for the local community to care for some of region’s best assets and natural resources.

Cleanups may be scheduled through Oct. 31 based on availability. Contact river cleanup coordinator Johnette Gonzales at johnette@visituvaldecounty.com to apply. More information is available online at visituvaldecounty.com/volunteer-river-clean-up-program/.

Local outfitters and rental companies support this program by donating or discounting equipment, transportation and parking for volunteers.

Members of the Uvalde High School class of 2022 after collecting 59 bags of trash and other abandoned items along the Frio River between Seven Bluff and Kenneth Arthur Crossings in Concan.

Members of the Uvalde High School class of 2022 after collecting 59 bags of trash and other abandoned items along the Frio River between Seven Bluff and Kenneth Arthur Crossings in Concan.

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