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Collaborative effort sees half a tonne of trash hauled from Thames River, McGregor Creek

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A half-tonne of garbage was picked up along the shores of the Thames River and McGregor Creek on Thanksgiving Saturday as part of a CK Paddle & Clean initiative.

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Participants paddled both waterways while removing garbage along the way. Once on the shore, recyclables were sorted and the garbage weighed – 502 kilograms in total.

The event was originally set for Sept. 25 but was postponed because of high water levels.

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Members of the Rotary Club of Chatham weighed and sorted the trash. Rotarians have made clean water a priority since 2015, when members initiated the Clean Water for Living program. The club has partnered with the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority on several projects, including the CK Paddle & Clean.

“I do believe that small positive acts by many people can transform the world,” said Rotarian John Lawrence, chair of Clean Water for Living, “and CK Paddle & Clean is a good example, combining with thousands of similar projects occurring around the world on National River Cleanup Day.”

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In addition to help from Sunrise Rotarians, supporters from the Rotary Club of Chatham cleaned up the shoreline along McGregor Creek.

The Stronghouse Twin Dolphin Canada Corp. donated funds to purchase hemp fabric T-shirts for the participants. The shirts were made locally in Chatham by Hereafter. SignRageous donated the printing for the T-shirt design.

As well, participants collected garbage in mesh bags donated by Lloyd Bag Co. and used them to drag items behind their boats. Water Hut provided the water refill station.

The garbage bin and subsequent collection was donated by Waste Connections of Canada.

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