It didn’t take Aldergrove resident Andrew Sigalet long to fill a full-size bag with trash on Sunday, Nov 14.
Less than an hour after a group of a dozen volunteers fanned out and began picking up litter in the Aldergrove core, Sigalet was back at the starting point, a rain shelter in the new temporary town park at 272 St. and Fraser Hwy.
It represented “just the alley” and the road beyond, Sigalet told his fellow volunteers.
He estimated the weight at 30 to 40 pounds.
One team of volunteers collected so much trash, they decided to leave the bags by the side of the road until someone could come and pick them up with a vehicle.
The Aldergrove core cleanup was organized by Langley Environmental Partners Society (LEPS) stewardship coordinator Lisa Dreves as part of the Movember campaign to raise awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide.
For Dreves, the campaign is also personal.
“2021 also marks 25 years since my dad, Chuck Burgess, committed suicide,” Dreves told the Langley Advance Times.
“He was 48 years old.”
READ ALSO: Langley environmental group promotes men’s mental health during Movember
Members of LEPS, the Bertrand Creek Enhancement Society, Aldergrove Community Association and Big Brothers were among the volunteers.
Dreves estimated they collected about 75 kg (165lb) of garbage from the streets of Aldergrove.
“It was fantastic even though very, very wet,” Dreve said.
“Even better was the gentleman that stopped to say thanks and donated $20 to us that we have put towards the LEPS Movember funds.”
LEPS Movember page is here: https://ca.movember.com/team/2411039 )
More photos of the Sunday cleanup can be seen online at the Langley Advance Times Facebook page.
Upcoming events include:
- Saturday, Nov. 20: Ivy pull with Yorkson Watershed Enhancement Society,
- Sunday, Nov. 21: Steele Park ivy pull with Salmon River Watershed Society,
- Saturday, Nov. 27: High Knoll and Brydon Lagoon nature walk with Langley Field Naturalists, and
- Sunday, Nov. 28: Tree planting at the bridges by Al Anderson Pool.
Those interested in volunteering should contact Dreves, stewardship@leps.bc.ca
READ ALSO: Counsellers target teen anxiety in program at Langley arboretum
Movember got its start in 2003 when two Australians, Travis Garone and Luke Slattery, came up with the idea of growing moustaches for charity throughout the month of November.
It has since expanded worldwide, with the stated aim of increasing early cancer detection, diagnosis and effective treatments, and to ultimately reduce the number of preventable deaths.
Since it began the Movember Foundation has raised $837 million and funded over 1,200 projects in more than 20 countries.
Have a story tip? Email: dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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