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We're Making a difference...
...in our community!
A letter from Andrew Kersting
-Founder of the Rogue River Project
Posted: 04/06/2010
Dear members of the community,It's hard to believe that it's been five years since we conducted the first Rogue River Clean-up on May 7th, 2005! Since then we've removed an estimated six tons of garbage and debris from the river and along the banks from the Dam in downtown Rockford to Childsdale Ave. a distance of about three miles. The event has become an annual event, drawing volunteers from all around West Michigan and has received national attention. We've come a long way since we started in 2005!I'm here to let you know that the efforts of all of our amazing volunteers has made a huge difference in our community, so much so that there is little need for a full-force clean up in 2010! While fishing along the Rogue this spring I am amazed how little litter there is in the river and along the banks.Each year since our first clean-up in 2005 we have found less and less litter along the Rogue, showing that we're making a impact and starting to raise awareness to keep our rivers clean.I cannot say enough about all of the wonderful volunteers that have helped make the clean-up possible over the past five years, their determination and willingness to go above and beyond will never be forgotten! Even local businesses have become more and more involved, donating everything we need and more for the annual Rogue River Clean-up. Their contributions are greatly appreciated by the volunteers as well as myself!Since there is so little litter, I would like to conduct a smaller clean-up group to work from the Rockford Dam down to Jericho Ave., a distance of about 1.5 miles. If you are interested in helping me this year please e-mail me by using the Contact Us form.
This "mini-clean-up" will be held on May 15th, 2010 at 10:00AM in Downtown Rockford.
Thank you for your support and I hope you'll join us for future clean-ups!
-Andrew Kersting
Founder and Project Organizer
Come See Us at Party for the Planet - 4/17/2010
Visit our booth during "Party for the Planet" at John Ball Zoo on Saturday, April 17th, 2010.
We'll be there to answer your questions and you can even sign up to stay informed about future clean-up projects on the Rogue!
More information about "Part for the Planet" can be found on the John Ball Zoo Society website at http://www.johnballzoosociety.org/events.php
Hope to see you there!
About The Rogue River Project
The Rogue River Project was established by myself in May of 2005 with one simple mission: to clean up the Rogue River and restore it's natural beauty. As an avid angler on the river I became very concerned with the heath of the river and decided to take action! Since then more than 100 volunteers have joined me in various clean up projects, from cleaning up the grounds around the Rockford Dam to the annual 3+ mile river clean up! This year I hope you too will join me...you can make a big difference in our community! I cannot thank everyone that has helped out over the years enough for their help and ongoing support, without them the Rogue River Project would not be possible!
Andrew Kersting, Project Organizer
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world. Indeed,
it is the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead