By Jo Moreland
Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce
For The Alpine Sun
Almost 11 years old, Brooke Costello learned about a wild cucumber while clearing debris along Alpine Creek during “I Love a Clean Alpine!”
The annual morning community cleanup and recycle day presented by the Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce on April 23 was also a great nature event for Brooke and her mom, Dawn Costello.
By Jo Moreland
Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce
For The Alpine Sun
Almost 11 years old, Brooke Costello learned about a wild cucumber while clearing debris along Alpine Creek during “I Love a Clean Alpine!”
The annual morning community cleanup and recycle day presented by the Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce on April 23 was also a great nature event for Brooke and her mom, Dawn Costello.
“I can’t believe how much trash is out there!” exclaimed Dawn. “I’d like to see more volunteers.”
Almost 30 people took out trash and brush from the creek as part of the yearly Back Country Land Trust participation in the county-wide Creek to Bay project. Property behind the Alpine Community Center at 1830 Alpine Blvd. was also cleaned.
“We’ve gotten seven tires so far and half a dumpster of trash,” said Jon Green, BCLT program and outreach director, at mid-morning.
A heavily loaded pickup truck carrying a dumped mattress, patio furniture, an easy chair and other clutter found in the creek bed and elsewhere pulled up. Green said part of that load was from an encampment.
The Chamber partnered this year with the land trust, community center, Goodwill Industries, the Alpine Neighbors magazine and REACH Air Medical Services for the event.
“We love supporting the I Love a Clean Alpine,” Chamber Executive Administrator Mary Rynearson said at the Alpine Community Center.
As the Chamber sold $2 tickets for an opportunity drawing to ride in a REACH helicopter, Frank Sturniolo of REACH sold $65 one-year memberships for air medical transportation.
Sturniolo said one woman bought one “because she wants to protect her family.”
Employees at the nearby Goodwill Industries store at 1834 B Alpine Blvd. collected electronic devices and gently used clothing. That will help Goodwill continue to employ 1,400 people with disabilities and other work barriers in San Diego County.
“We were thankful for the good weather and participation” of about 30 donors, said Darlene Cossio of Goodwill.
More information about Goodwill is available at the Chamber office in the Alpine Regional Center at 1620 Alpine Blvd., Suite 208.
Staffed by Ken Schuettenhelm and Peggy Meanor, the well-known Kiwanis Club of Alpine Cook Shack served cheeseburgers, chips and water to cleanup volunteers. The club partnered with Soroptimist International of Alpine.
Alpine Barons Market donated orange juice and water for volunteers. The Harbison Canyon Lions provided pastries and Starbucks coffee. The Alpine Beer Company offered a 10 percent discount to participants.
Get more information about Chamber and community activities by calling (619) 445-2722 or visit www.alpinechamber.org.
