Volunteers battle elements, and stinky stuff, for Trash-Off

A member of Pack 248 shields himself from some smelly roadside litter. More than 120 volunteers were out in force Saturday doing a big community service.

Picking up somebody else's trash is a dirty job, but thank goodness there are those willing to do it.

Braving cold temperatures and cloudy skies, more than 170 people participated in Saturday's Keep Whitehouse Beautiful litter pick up, part of the annual Don't Mess With Texas Trash-Off Day.

There were 121 volunteers who covered 18 total road miles to amass 194 bags of garbage. Additionally, three Adopt-AHighway teams (totaling 52 volunteers) turned in 39 more bags of roadside refuse.

Despite a lower turn out than usual, organizers appreciated the efforts of those who came out Saturday despite the threatening skies that remained after Friday night's storms.

"I think it was a very impressive number who showed up, despite the weather," said Helen Hutto, co-chair of KWB. "We didn't know if anyone would be there."

"I'm especially happy with the Scouts," said Dorothy LaFlure, chairperson of the Trash-Off event.

"They are always so faithful," added Hutto.

The Venture Crew team earned the most bags per person designation, with a 5.3 average. Pictured are Eric LaFlure, Jeremy Priest and Gary Priest

Five scouting groups participated and removed trash from Dudley, Prairie, Hillcreek, Mud and Hagan Road creeks. The scouts tackle this tough job each year as part of the Lake & River Cleanup program.

Including adult leaders, 56 scout participants racked up 80 bags of trash. Their haul included a lot of glass bottles, adding up to 1,600 lbs. of materials collected during the three-hour event.

The three-member Venture Crew 359 had the highest bagper person ratio with a 5.3 average.

Keep Whitehouse Beautiful also held a silent auction for a Troy Bilt chipper/shredder/ vacuum, valued at $550. Willie Brown submitted the winning bid of $400.

Registration for the trash-off began at 8:30 a.m. in Whitehouse City Park, with team members receiving trashoff T-shirts and maps designating their pick-up areas.

In addition to furnishing gloves and trash bags, KWB distributed jackets to volunteers who showed up unprepared for the cool, damp weather.

Dorothy LaFlure of KWB presents Willie and Beverly Brown their Troy Bilt chipper/shredder.

The brigh blue pullovers came from the recycling center and are products of KWB's involvement with the Return the Warmth, a school-based recyling program. The jackets are actually made form recycled plastic bottles.

After registration and being suitably equipped, the teams disbursed to their assigned areas from approximately 9 a.m. until noon.

Sponsors for the trash-off were Southside Bank, Bubba Graphics, eog resources, Chickfil A, Ronnie Van Baugh and Health Plus.

Scout groups participating were Troop 359, Venture Crew 359, Pack 248, Troop 248 and Cub Scout Pack 359.

Adopt-A-Highway teams were the First Ladies drill team from Whitehouse High School, Mt. Carmel Baptist Church and Walnut Grove United Methodist Church.

Also from WHS were members of the National Honor Society, Student Council and Luke Shivers, representing the athletic department.

Business groups were the Whitehouse Community Library, Whitehouse YMCA and Southside Bank.

Representatives from two neighborhoods, Country Place and Oakbrook Estates, participated, as well as individual volunteers Hannah and Carol Barker.

The Walnut Grove team worked their Adopt-AHighway area.

Rounding out the litter crews were the POP Teens from Prince of Peace Catholic Church and teams from Mt. Elem Baptist and New Canaan Baptist churches.

A POP Teen bags litter. Health Plus provided a variety of snacks for the Trash-Off teams including donuts, bananas, energy bars, water and coffee -- a particular favorite on the cold, damp day.