- Denise Rockenstein
- Posted On
Citizens Caring for Clearlake cleans up dump sites
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Citizens Caring for Clearlake is undertaking a massive cleanup effort this week.
The group, also known as CC4C, is focusing efforts this entire week on cleaning up dump sites near Pomo School.
CC4C began its effort on Monday and will continue to cleanup the area until next Monday, July 20.
Barbara Christwitz, founder of the group, said she contacted the property owner, who lives in the Sacramento area, to inform him about the extensive blight of the area and discuss cleaning it up.
Through discussions of costs, Christwitz said she estimated it would cost about $700 in dump fees to remove all the trash.
“He gave us his permission to conduct the cleanup and donated $1,000 to our group,” she said. “We rented a 30-cubic-foot dumpster, but we could use four more just like it.”
Christwitz said the area is about 10 and a half acres, located east of Pomo School.
“It's a homeless encampment back here,” she said. “Once we start helping these people we won't have such a severe problem in our city.”
While she doesn't blame the homeless and recognizes their struggles to survive, she said, “It's a homeless problem, therefore, it's a garbage problem. We could duplicate this behind Ray's Food Place and Safeway.”
As volunteers clean the area they are separating trash from recyclable items, going as far as tearing down mattresses and other furniture to recycle the metal components inside and decrease costs for disposal.
Electronic waste, tires, wood and other items also are being separated for proper disposal.
“I always try to make light of the blight,” group member Neickol Cook said.
Cook said picking up trash is her “hobby” and that she is constantly picking up garbage everywhere she goes.
She said she noticed an interest from children and often provides a trash-picker and bucket in places where she finds them.
“They make a game out of it, dancing around and having fun as they pick up trash and put it in the bucket,” Cook said. “They say I make cleaning fun.”
CC4C conducted a cleanup effort in the field area between the Redbud Library and Safeway earlier this year, where Christwitz said another large homeless encampment exists. She said the group spent about $600 on that effort.
According to Christwitz, an anonymous donor kickstarted the group's cleanup mission with a $10,000 contribution. Funds have assisted in two cleanup efforts on Sulphur Bank Drive since December.
“The help we received from the Missionaries from the Mormon Church on these cleanups was phenomenal,” she said.
Fundraising efforts help the group continue its efforts, she said.
“It's heartwarming all the people who have stepped up to support our group. It demonstrates how much it's needed and how much people really do care,” she said.
Christwitz added, “It's not about trash. It's about building community and bringing people together in a like cause. Being a poor community doesn't mean we have to live in squalor.”
Every 22nd day of the month, the CC4C conducts its Adopt-a-Highway cleanup, beginning as early as 6 a.m.
The group's adopted area is on the west side of Highway 53 between 18th Avenue and Lower Lake.
“We start as early as possible to avoid the heat,” Christwitz said.
The group also assists the Clearlake Park area's Neighborhood Watch program, keeping on the lookout for illegal dumpers.
For more information concerning CC4C, contact Christwitz at 707-995-0940 or visit the group's Facebook page.
Editor's note: The story originally stated the cleanup will end on Friday, July 17, 2015. Organizers said it will extend to Monday, July 20.
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