Volunteers pitch in to clean up Cove waterways

By PAMELA GRANT
Cove Leader-Press

Despite imminent rain, chilly temperatures, and an early wake-up, 84 volunteers helped pick up 610 pounds of trash on Saturday from two waterways in Copperas Cove.
Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful, KCCB, invited the dozens of environmentally conscious volunteers to meet at the Copperas Cove Public Library at 8 a.m. before dispersing to clean up either the waterways of South Park or Eagle Trail with volunteers stressing that Eagle Trail could use the most volunteers as the recent rains have flooded the area with garbage and debris.
KCCB Executive Director Roxanne Flores-Achmad said that it’s important not just to clean up, but to work on educating the public on the importance of keeping our city clean.
“Those that are here will make an impact,” said Flores-Achmad. “We’re always trying to teach our residents that if we don’t clean it up, no one else will.”
Flores-Achmad said sometimes people have the mindset that someone else will clean it up. She said that after taking part in a cleanup event, many participants, especially the younger ones, will be more likely to speak up to their peers and remind them to put their trash into a trashcan instead of just throwing it on the ground. She said that taking part in cleanup events also instills a sense of pride.
Robby Robinson, who lives just a few houses down from where the cleanup took place at Eagle Trail, brought doughnuts and bottled water for the volunteers. 
Robinson said that he was so glad that so many volunteers came out to the area. He said that he and other residents have been trying for years to clean up the area. 
However, it’s been a losing battle as they are constantly inundated with garbage coming from Highway 190 and from local restaurants. Every time it rains, all of the garbage gets washed away and settles into their waterways.
“It’s greatly appreciated,” said Robinson about the cleanup. “I’m so happy to see the community get together and do this.”
Rob Caim brought his children Olivia Caim (10) and Christopher Caim (13) to help with the cleanup. He said that his family has participated in several of the waterway cleanups and that his kids love helping out
“We’re doing something for the community and we’re doing something as a family too,” said Rob Caim.
“If we don’t, the community would be full of trash,” said Christopher Caim. Christopher added that helping out and participating in events like Saturday’s cleanup teaches him life lessons and builds character. 
“It makes me feel like I’m making a difference,” said Olivia Caim. 
KCCB meets once a month on the first Monday at 6 p.m. at the Copperas Cove Fire Department. Flores-Achmad said that they are looking for more board members and other volunteers to help present the group with fresh, new ideas. The meetings are open to the public, and she wanted to encourage anyone who is interested to attend.
“We do great stuff, but we can’t do things if we don’t have our volunteers,” said Flores-Achmad.
Flores-Achmad added that if anyone wants to do cleanup of their own that they can contact KCCB who would be more than happy to provide them with supplies.