Reservists do their part along the Great Miami River

  • Published
  • By Maj Jose A. Cardenas
  • 445th Airlift Wing
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio --  Armed with garbage bags, gloves and a desire to give back to her community, two 445th Airlift Wing Reservists teamed up to canoe along the Great Miami River from Indian Lake to Franklin as part of a campaign to beautify the area July 12.

Master Sgt. Karen Miller, 445th Airlift Wing Command Post, and Senior Master Sgt. Alice Collingwood, 445th Logistics Readiness Squadron, participated in the annual Clean Sweep of the Great Miami River, which brought hundreds of environmentally conscious volunteers together to remove trash from river.

Five years ago, while visiting her library, Sergeant Miller noticed a flyer advertising what has grown to become an annual event seeking volunteers to help clean up the river . Deciding to step up to the challenge, she realized this would be a great way to do something for the environment and give back to the community as well as provide an excellent opportunity to bond and do something unique with her stepson who was then a student in high school.

Sergeant Miller explained that she "wanted to teach my stepson what happens when things get thrown out by careless people ...it can get pretty overwhelming to see all the trash you pick up along the three mile canoe trek". Sergeant Miller teamed with her stepson for three years and became regulars in the cleanup force. "Now he's in college and teams with his friends ...it kinda sprouted, but I needed a partner so I talked it up at work to make up a team so when I get the chance I put in a plug for the Reserves. I would really encourage husband and wife teams or parents to team up with their teens, it's a good bonding experience and it's great fun!"

At the end of the three mile stretch the teams are greeted by trucks and additional volunteers to help unload their day's find of trash, bottles, cans and other items people have pitched that litter the waterway. Then they sit down to a well earned lunch and receive a T-shirt for doing their part in the volunteer project.

"People dump tires, refrigerators, shopping carts; one year I found a full steering column and a car door ... but probably one of the more unusual finds that another crew found was a safe from a robbery in Piqua," Sergeant Miller stated recalling some of the more unusual items she has retrieved or seen over the years.

The event is always in July typically on a Friday or Saturday with flyers advertising the Clean Sweep of the Great Miami River about a month in advance. "You definitely get dirty but it gives you a good feeling knowing you are helping out."

If you are interested in more information about the Clean Sweep of the Great Miami River, contact Sergeant Miller at Karen.Miller1@wpafb.af.mil or call 257-3551 after 1500 hours.