Mark your calendar and round up all that stuff that you’ve been meaning to get rid of. On Saturday, June 7, a crew of volunteers headed by Charlie Montoy and Ray Klein will be out in force to pick up just about anything you put out, as part of a town-wide cleanup they are referring to as Patagonia Community Pride Day.
Klein remembers the first Patagonia cleanup day in 1997, in which about 90 people took part. It was a success, and the town kept it up for several years, but eventually it lapsed. So the newly formed Patagonia Regional Business Coalition has volunteered to reestablish it.
The timing couldn’t be better, as we are entering the summer fire season, and there are many parts of town with piles of pruned branches, scrap wood, or other debris that present a fire hazard. But Ray says that the cleanup crew will also haul away hard-to-dispose of items like junked vehicles, large appliances, furniture, tires or old car batteries. He hopes the cleanup will draw the participation of the whole community, and considers the event to be an opportunity to bring residents together—be they newcomers or oldtimers—united behind a common cause.
The cleanup organizers will divide the town into four areas within the town limits. Each area will have a crew leader, who will oversee volunteers and coordinate their activity. Some volunteers will walk the streets with large garbage bags, picking up litter. Others will be a part of the crew that drives through the area, picking up bags or items that have been put on the curb for collection, or, in the case of disabled vehicles, designated for pick up by a resident’s phone request. The crew will not take away trash without the owner’s consent and will not enter private property unless the property owner has authorized it.
The greater the participation by the community, the more successful will be the outcome. Many volunteers have signed on, and more are needed, including people who can donate their time and/or their truck. The crew will meet at the Community Center at 7 a.m. on Saturday. Volunteers are asked to bring work gloves and a rake or shovel. They’ll be treated to a continental breakfast and then will get started. At midday, the crew will break for a free hot dog lunch. The goal is to complete the task, and the clean up effort will be continued beyond Saturday if need be.
Many of the town’s businesses are lending their support, and the town will contribute two
dumpsters. Sponsors of the event include Creekside Place MH/RV Park, DM Engineering and Excavating, Gathering Grounds, PAT Gas and Services, Patagonia Market, Ovens of Patagonia, The Town of Patagonia, The Wagon Wheel, Wildcat Silver, and Wild Horse Restaurant.
Residents are encouraged to help spread the word, in particular to neighbors who may be elderly and/or infirm. If you are aware of a yard that really needs clean up, you might approach the homeowner to be sure that they know about the event and ask if they need help, but this should be done in a respectful manner and only as a suggestion.
If you need help with getting trash or debris to the curb or have a junk vehicle to be taken away or questions, call Ray Klein at (520) 394-2530 or Charlie Montoy at (520) 604-1659.