| ooking for an event where you can have a big impact? Eager to help protect and restore our river as an irreplaceable national treasure and vital public resource? Join Scenic Hudson's Great River Sweep. As these Sweep stories attest, the fun and good feelings will keep you coming back. |
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| GIRL SCOUTS MAKE BIG IMPACT IN CAPITAL REGION |
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| COORDINATOR: Dan Spilman |
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| SWEEPS: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 |
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| PLACE: Papscanee Island Nature Preserve, Rensselaer County |
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Dan Spilman and his daughter's Girl Scout troop count on the Sweep each April. In 2004 he and 50 volunteers braved rain and other difficulties to clean up the Papscanee Island Nature Preserve. They seldom put in more than two hours to fill up half a dump truck. Dan and the scouts have a great time. Just as important, they are building valuable habits for the future of their Hudson Valley.
"I wanted the kids to be regulars at volunteering to help the environment and their community. I easily began an annual activity by working with Scenic Hudson." |
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| I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS AMAZING RIVER |
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| COORDINATOR: Marion Zimmer |
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| SWEEPS: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 |
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| PLACE: Sleightsburg Park, Ulster County |
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Before the Sweep, Esopus had Marion Zimmer to organize cleanups. Then Town Supervisor Ray Rice introduced her to Scenic Hudson, and a great partnership was born. Marion loves the Hudson. She is enormously proud that cleanups have progressed from removing junk cars and refrigerators to picking up smaller trash. Now that people know the area is cared for, she says, illegal dumping is rare.
"The kids emerge with tires and bags of trash, grinning from ear to ear, beaming with pride, as if to say, 'Look what I've done - this is the best thing ever!'" |
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| COMMUNITY UNITES FOR WATERFRONT |
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| COORDINATOR: Ann Marie Palefsky |
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| SWEEPS: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 |
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| PLACE: Stony Point Seawall, Rockland County |
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Self-proclaimed Hudson fanatic, Ann Marie Palefsky always finds herself doing small things to keep the river clean. She recalls the tremendous gratification her son and fellow 4-H Club members felt when they rescued a bird tangled in fishing line and successfully petitioned the town to install riverside garbage cans. The Sweep is the best teacher you can find, she says.
"I've been doing cleanups at the Stony Point Seawall for nearly two decades, and Scenic Hudson makes it easy. I have never seen a more organized or better executed community cleanup." |
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| FOURTH SWEEP FOR HYDE PARK TEEN |
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| COORDINATOR: Craig Nash |
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| SWEEPS: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 |
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| PLACE: Hyde Park, Dutchess County |
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In 2003, at age 14, Craig Nash coordinated his first Sweep on the historic Hyde Park Trail, which links the FDR and Val-Kill estates. His last two cleanups filled several large dumpsters and collected many recyclables. He raised $400 to rent equipment for his cleanup. A recent volunteer advocate for the Bigger Better Bottle Bill, Craig also received the President's Volunteer Service Award for his outstanding work with Scenic Hudson.
"My biggest accomplishment was getting people of all ages - from 7 to 70 - involved and working together for a common goal. Everyone should have a sense of pride in their community." |
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| Got a story to share? Send it to volunteer@scenichudson.org. Include a picture if you have one. Or mail photos to: Joe Kiernan, Scenic Hudson, One Civic Center Plaza, Suite 200, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601. Be sure to include your address if you would like your photos returned. |
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| Left to right: Ann Marie Palefsky with her crew at Stony Point Seawall; Girl Scouts at Papscanee Island Nature Preserve; super volunteer Craig Nash; volunteers take a break at Marion Zimmer's cleanup. |
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www.GreatRiverSweep.org |
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Sweep Stories |
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| DONATE |
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Scenic Hudson's future achievements are only possible with the generous support of people like you. Show your support by making a donation today. |
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| VOLUNTEER |
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We need your participation to meet growing challenges. Learn more about our volunteer opportunities for both individuals and groups. |
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| TAKE ACTION |
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Sign up at our Take Action center for action alerts, community events calendar and more. |
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