Trek for Trash teams net 226 bags

CLOVIS — Tires and shoes and diapers, oh my!

These are just some of the items participants in the annual Trek for Trash cleaned up off the streets of Clovis on Saturday.

Seven teams combined to fill 226 trash bags and Clovis Community College defended its crown by finishing first for the fifth straight year. CCC collected 78 bags, winning a pot of gold (candy).

The Trek for Trash offered Clovis residents with a fun way to spend their Saturday morning while cleaning up their community.

"We had a lot of fun," Tiffany Bostock said. "For something people would see as being a very tedious activity, you're walking up a long stretch of road and picking up not only these large pieces but these itty bitty pieces of trash you see, that's not something people are willingly going to go out to do, but if you find a good group of people that time just flies by and by the time you get to the end of the street your bags are full."

A first-time participant in the event, Bostock appreciated the support she received from organizers and passers-by as people cheered her along and honked their car horns.

"People were super supportive and very encouraging so it's not miserable the entire time," Bostock said. "You kind of forget it's getting hot, it's a little warmer, because they're so supportive while you're doing it and they're appreciative so many people want to actually spend their morning picking up trash."

The event also provided Clovis residents with a chance to come together for a common goal.

"You're doing something for your city," Nicole Spade said. "(Bostock) and I both are military wives so we're all over the world and to see your city come together and do that is pretty awesome."

Spade said the weirdest thing she picked up was a box of bullets and a gun. The gun, she said, was a toy.

The Clovis High School Freshman Academy Spanish Club sent a large contingent to the Trek, finishing in second place with 48 bags of trash.

"It was a really good day, a really good, productive day for the kids to learn, to serve their community and to give back," said Adriana Quiroz, one of the group's sponsors.

Club member Nicole Neyra said underwear was the strangest piece of trash the group picked up off the street.

Fresh off spending over three hours cleaning up trash, the Spanish Club is already preparing for its next community service event.

"The opportunities for community service are rare," said Martha Lamb, another sponsor for the club. "We're going to be participating in the Christmas light parade, so we're excited about that."

Teen Court finished the Trek in third place with 28 bags.

Though participation in the event was a little down from last year, Trek for Trash organizers were happy with the enthusiasm and effectiveness of those who came out.

"Everybody that participated seemed to have a good time," City Commissioner Chris Bryant said. "They were enthusiastic about it and got out and did a good job. We appreciate everyone that worked towards cleaning up Clovis."

Clovis assistant city clerk and event organizer Vicki Reyes said she believes around 200 people, including Clovis city employees, participated in the event on Saturday.

"One thing we would like to mention is how kind and how organized the people from this area were," Quiroz said. "They had everything ready for us. They are very, very well settled, organized, and nice and kind."