Cleaning up the Thames River for 27 years

From left to right, Mac Westman, Logan Westman, Kayden Brode, Kenny Brown and Todd Sleeper proudly show the Thames River Clean Up banner before hanging it up in the pavilion.

By Wendy Lamond

After a delay due to safety concerns, the Thames River Cleanup was able to take place on Saturday, April 25. This is the 27th year that organizer Todd Sleeper has been running the event since its launch. There are now 50 clean up locations, growing again from just last year. This year there were 57 volunteers on hand to help with the clean up. The St. Marys Cubs are carrying on with the clean up on Wednesday night as well.

Being an avid fisherman and canoeist, Sleeper wanted to clean up the river and to educate people on how to help the environment. He joined forces with Upper Thames River Conservation Authority and 27 years later, the clean up is still taking on steam and growing every year. Sleeper hopes to continue running this project for as long as he can due to its strong impact on the community and the environment. Once the clean up is done, volunteers head back to Milt Dunnell Park for a barbecue.

Another exciting perk for volunteering is that participants can register to win an Aqua Fusion Liberty Kayak from Nova Craft Canoe.

Sleeper wishes to thank their sponsors: Hearn’s Ice Cream, Tim Hortons, Diamond Disposal, Stonetown Supplies, Giant Tiger of Stratford, Tremblett’s Independent Grocery, Domino’s Pizza and the Town of St. Marys. A big thank you goes out to all of the volunteers for doing a wonderful job cleaning up the Thames River in and around St. Marys.