An estimated 100 tons of trash and debris were collected by the crew of volunteers who participated in Patagonia Community Pride Day on June 7.
If you’re trying to imagine the volume of such a haul, think of a football field piled six feet high. That’s how it looked at the town dump site, and that estimate doesn’t include the appliances, paint, and metal that were collected, or the 200 tires. Charlie Montoya, a member of the Patagonia Regional Business Coalition (PRBC) that organized the event, was asked if he was surprised at the success of the clean up. Said Charlie, “It blew my expectations away.”
The event was well planned. The entire area within the Patagonia town limits was mapped out and divided into four sections. After volunteers were treated to an early breakfast at the Community Center, they were divided into four groups and assigned to one of the sections, each headed by a crew leader. Denise Bowden drove around dispensing soda and chilled water to the volunteers throughout the day and also served as an EMT, available to assist with any medical problems that might arise. (There were no serious mishaps.)
Quite a few of the 40 to 50 volunteers who participated came with their pickup trucks and trailers, and one man from Tucson, who had read about the clean up, drove down with his truck to help out.
PRBC President Brent Bowden says PRBC members are really pleased that their first major event as an organization was so successful. Bowden, who feels that part of what makes Patagonia special is the diversity of its residents—different backgrounds, different points of view—said the clean up “really brought the town together.” Describing Patagonia as a community that truly rallies around a good cause, Ray Klein added, “When people in this community get behind something, they get behind it.”
Other sponsors who helped make it happen were Creekside Place MH/RV Park, DM Engineering and Excavation, Gathering Grounds, PAT Gas and Services, Patagonia Market, Ovens of Patagonia, The Town of Patagonia, The Wagon Wheel, Todd Norton Plumbing, Wildcat Silver, and Wild Horse Restaurant.