Becks Mill clean up is a success

On Saturday, Sept. 8, over 30 volunteers joined together to help clean the historical Becks Mill and surrounding area. Volunteers worked along the trails/walking paths behind Becks Mill and along Becks Mill Road and Vincennes Trail. 

“Even through the rain and clouds we managed to have a good time!” said Shelbie Stephenson, Mill Creek-Blue River Watershed Coordinator.

Everyone was provided breakfast with a breakfast sandwich, coffee (sponsored by McDonalds) and donuts (sponsored by H&R Bakery). 

Ace Hardware provided gloves and trash bags for all the volunteers and the Friends of Becks Mill and the Mill Creek-Blue River Project gave t-shirts.

After two to three hours of picking up trash, the volunteers returned to the mill for lunch, provided by Walmart and the Friends of Becks Mill. 

An estimated 823 pounds of trash was collected.

“For such a small area this is a great result!” said Stephenson.

The group was thankful to the City of Salem, Bill Elrod for donating the use of a dump truck to collect all the trash/debris and weighing it afterwards.

“And thank you to everyone who made this day a success!”

Sponsors included: Friends of Becks Mill, who provided the facilities, building, tents, water, lunch and t-shirts; Ace Hardware, the bags and gloves; McDonalds, for breakfast and coffee; H&R Bakery, donuts; Walmart, lunch. 

“It’s so awesome that we live in a community where we have that many local sponsors willing to help and we are so appreciative of that!” said Stephenson. 

She also thanked Cindy Walton at the Street Department- for all of her kindness, patience and assistance; the city street department for allowing the use of a dump truck and hauling the truck to the landfill; Mike Ponsford for the use his truck during the clean-up; Mike Neff for using his Gator/truck during the clean-up; Angie Ulm and family for the use of their side-by-side during the clean-up and all of the volunteers for their time and effort.

“I am so thrilled with the participation and results of Becks Mill’s first ever clean-up and am so proud of our community to coming together for this!” said Stephenson. “We look forward to next year’s clean-up event.”