A cleanup effort organized by the Potomac River Project Steering Committee of the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce resulted in a an impressive amount of trash and debris being removed from the river last month.

Forty-seven volunteers were able to collect 150 bags of trash, as well as tires, steel, shopping carts, chunks of Styrofoam and a few rusted bicycles. The volunteers even hauled a kitchen sink from the river.

Tires removed from the river were transported to the LaVale Wal-Mart by the Cumberland Department of Public Works, and their disposal was arranged by Patty Alexander through Wal-Mart’s General Manager Jeff Corbett. Raquel Ketterman and Kolin Jan represented the River Project group at the time of tire delivery.

Kleinschmidt Associates sponsored a truck to assist with trash removal and the time and expertise of Mark Bowen to the effort. Cash contributions received during Canal Fest were used for general supplies associated with the event and there were many items donated. Lowe’s provided gloves; American Rivers offered trash bags; Boy Scouts of America delivered flotation devices; and Downtown Manager Ed Mullaney organized pizzas from Vocelli’s to feed the hard-working group.

This effort is expected to be just the first of many steps to realize the full economic benefits this natural resource provides. The Potomac River Project has already brought together individuals and agencies throughout the region and is only expected to continue to grow. The event was a success largely in part to volunteers recruited at Canal Fest through Amy Carter and Richard Sours from Frostburg State University, along with a van full of college students; Mayor Lee Fiedler; Matthew Huelskamp; Nicole Wigfield; Frank Fotia; Mark Bowen; Patty Alexander; Doug Schwab and Betsey Hurwitz-Schwab; Kelley Hallam, Dee Dee Ritchie; Ketterman; Jan; and Doug Hutchins and some accompanying family and friends.

For more information about the Potomac River Project, call the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce at (301) 722-2820.

We say congratulations — and thank-you — to the volunteers and organizations for working hard to help one of the region’s most important and vital natural resources.