MUNCIE, Ind. — Stretching 362 miles, the White River is the largest waterway in Indiana. Starting in Winchester, the river winds through Delaware County and continues until it drains into the Wabash River. For 17 years, locals from all over Delaware County have come together to beautify the river. Although the event's primary purpose is to clean the river, this event was started all with a love for the earth.
“Toni Cecil was the one who started this all, and she passed away. We always try to honor her and remember her during this time, not only for her leadership but her advocacy for the river and planet,” said Superintendent of Sanitation and Recycling Jason Donati.
Over 200 volunteers join the White River clean-up every year to help remove debris and other objects from the water and surrounding parks. The White River cleanup offers bus routes, canoe routes and walking routes along and on the river. Volunteers are not only encouraged to walk the shore but are even urged to go into the water itself. Locals all over Muncie and Delaware County are called to the shore for many reasons.
“It's such a great opportunity to be involved in something that I can see the benefit of. There are tons of opportunities but none where you can see the impact,” explained Ball State student and volunteer Ryan Fleek.
Even with the recent drought and low tide, volunteers cleaned about 15 miles of the river, leaving no stone unturned. To get involved in future White River cleanup events, visit their website here.
Contact Abby Urban with comments at abigail.urban@bsu.edu.
