Posted on September 14, 2021
Hannah Schaefer used a pair of repurposed kitchen tongs to collect garbage along the Detroit River shoreline at McKee Park Saturday.
Schaefer was one of almost 40 volunteers who collected more than 300 pounds of garbage for the annual Sandwich Litter Cleanup.
“We had a really good turnout,” said Gina Pannunzio, the partnerships and out-reach coordinator for the Essex Region Conservation Authority.
ERCA along with the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, the Windsor Port Authority, the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup and the city of Windsor organized Saturday’s event.
“We haven’t been able to do a cleanup like this since 2019,” Pannunzio said. “We’re very happy to be back.”
Last year’s community cleanup was wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s event took place using all the recognized health and safety protocols of masking and distancing.
This was Schaefer’s first time participating.
“Thank goodness we’re having events again,” the 20-year-old Windsor resident said.
Her pail was almost filled with garbage, cigarette butts and an old lighter. Earlier in the effort, she had found a set of keys and a piece off a boat.
“We know people are concerned for the pollution in the Great Lakes,” Pannunzio said. “This is a great way to get people out and involved in making a direct impact. Everything they pick up is being kept out of our lakes and rivers.”
Funding for the event was provided by the Gordie Howe International Bridge community benefits program.
