Our people: Faith, community define local recycler

Maria Chavarria is a native Clovis resident who has built a life based on her faith, family, and a desire to keep her community clean.

A member of the congregation of Oasis en el Desierto, Chavarria considers her church membership to be one of her defining characteristics. She places a high priority on her involvement there.

"I love Jesus, it's my main thing. I like to be involved in my church," Chavarria said.

Chavarria's activity at church has brought her more than just personal purpose – its also where she met her husband of 40 years. For the last three decades, she and her husband have run Clovis Recycling.

Chavarria is the mother to three and grandmother of five. It's with these five grandchildren that she prefers to spend her free time.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about what you do at Clovis Recycling?

A: We recycle any metals. Anything that's metal, we'll take here.

When people come with material, we pay them for the metal. We prepare the metal and then send it to the mill. We usually move around from mill to mill. It just depends on where the market is good, that's where we go. Recently, we've been taking metal to El Paso.

Q: Where is the most interesting place you've ever visited?

A: Chihuahua, Mexico. I'm really interested in the people; I have friends and family there. Also, there's great food, it's really good. My favorite dish is probably their enchiladas.

Q: What is your favorite thing about living here in Clovis?

A: The community, it's awesome. I just like Clovis. It's my home.

Q: If you won the lottery, how would you spend the money?

A: I guess growing my business a little bit more, and helping my church and my kids.

Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?

A: Playing baseball. It was a team from the church and we would get together and go play at different places. It was really neat. I don't even remember what position I played. My son plays in softball tournaments now, and my grandkids do too. It makes me feel good to watch them play, because you know -- sports are good for kids.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you could give to your grandkids?

A: Have Jesus as the first thing in your life. Once you have him, you have everything.

Q: Do you have any heroes that you look up to?

A: My pastor. I have known her for a long time. I admire the way she serves the Lord.

Q: What is one thing you wish people in the community knew about recycling?

A: That it's not just about the money. It's about keeping recyclable material out of the landfill. Some people do it for the money and some people do it just to keep Clovis clean. It's better to keep things out of the landfill.

Q: If you could go on a vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go?

A: The Bahamas. I like the beach.

Q: If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

A: Tacos. Any kind of taco.

Q: Do you have a favorite movie?

A: "The Passion of The Christ."

Q: Is there anything you want others to know about you?

A: Yes, I'd like them to know that during COVID we lost one of our best workers. He was my husband's brother. That was the worst thing that's happened to us. We lost him in September. That was the worst thing ever.