My fellow cachers,
The idea of a CITO event in our neck of the woods has been on my mind lately. I have been tossing around the idea of finding something for us to do that would benefit our community and help to clean up our area. Then it came to me: there is a 5k race coming to town that will be held at the Jackson County Fairgrounds. Knowing the amount of people that participate in these types of events and the colorful nature involved, I'm led to believe that there will be a large mess that could use some help being cleaned up. This is where we come in.
As a geocaching community, I feel that we can really make a difference. I have been in contact with the race director and asked what he thought about having some extra help. His response was wonderfully supportive. As the saying goes, "Many hands make light work." The race director let me know that they have volunteers that will be working the race, but that after the race is over, most of them go home and they are left with a small skeleton crew to clean up. I spoke with him and let him know that I wanted to try and organize some help for the cleanup.
Here comes the possible downside: The race is a night race. This means that the cleanup effort won't begin until roughly 11:00 pm. I understand this is late at night, but the chance to help clean up and make a difference is more than worth it to me. The time frame that the director gave me was from roughly 11:00 pm to 1:00 or even 2:00 am. Mainly, it will depend on the amount of volunteers who stay to help, and the amount of people that we can generate to bring with us and lend a hand. As I said, I understand it is late, but it's also on a Saturday, so there will be time to sleep in for the morning and catch up on our beauty sleep.
The coordinates that are posted are for the entrance to the Jackson County Fairgrounds. There is parking available nearby in the lots. I am still working with the event director to finalize all the little details, so I will update this listing as the date gets closer. I will post a meeting place for us on the grounds and be sure to pass it on to everyone who will attend.
Cachers, I truly feel that this is an opportunity for us to band together and lend a hand to our community. AmandaKShaffer and I will provide bottled water, latex gloves, and garbage bags for everyone. Please take some time to think about it and let me know if you are willing and able to join our efforts.
Thanks!!