OSSINING, N.Y. As Gareth Hougham dragged a fifth tire out of the Hudson River during Ossinings Earth Day Cleanup, he couldnt help shaking his head.
Its never-ending, the Ossining resident said as he dropped the tire next to piles of trash along the riverbank. Ive helped out for three years doing this, and its like this every year.
Hougham, who is a member of Ossinings Environmental Advisory Council, helped out with the Stash the Trash program at Sing Sing Kill as part of Ossinings Earth Day 2012 Festival. The festival, organized by the Green Ossining Committee, also included music acts, dozens of area vendors and family activities at Louis Engel Waterfront Park. But a thousand feet away from the festivities, a dozen residents werent afraid to get their hands dirty to help clean up the waterfront.
After less than two hours of cleanup, volunteers had filled more than 40 large trash bags with various items, including several tires, dozens of cans and bottles, hoses, piping. and even stuffed animals.
The objects came as little surprise for 13-year-old Briarcliff Middle School student Brendon Krupa.
Garbage doesnt go away for a long time, Brendon said after filling his own trash bag. Its a lot of trash.
Brendons mother, Fran Krupa, said the two were helping with the cleanup as a part of a community project for the Briarcliff Boy Scouts.
We wanted to do some community service and get out and clean, Krupa said. We wanted to celebrate Earth Day but also do our share to actually help out.
Mohegan Lake resident Danielle Nicolais, who helped out with other members of Ossinings Starbucks, said she found a few metal pipes and a bicycle tire. The group agreed that the oddest thing found Saturday was a stuffed bunny rabbit.
We all live on this Earth and we need to keep it clean and keep it going, Nicolais said. Theres been a lot of crazy stuff weve found out here today. People toss things on the ground or leave them behind, and they think it just goes away, and it doesnt.
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