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NARROWSBURG – Approximately 375 volunteers participated in the 4th Annual Upper Delaware Litter Sweep to celebrate Earth Day ideals while spring-cleaning the river valley.

A series of land-based clean-ups took place between April 14 and 30 in the 13 Upper Delaware Council (UDC) member towns and townships of New York and Pennsylvania.

The UDC handles fundraising; permitting; publicity to build a network of helpers; the purchase and distribution of supplies including grabbers, gloves, and bags; ordering team t-shirts; assistance with safety and disposal instructions; and updating schedules.

Starting from a $2,315.60 balance carried over from last year, the 2024 Litter Sweep raised $5,558.50 and spent $4,047.67 in expenses, providing $3,826.43 as seed money for 2025.

Major contributions came from $3,000 allocated by Sullivan County Legislature Chairperson and Town of Lumberland UDC Representative Nadia Rajsz, Legislator Matt McPhillips, and Legislator Catherine “Cat” Scott from their respective Districts 2, 1, and 5 discretionary funds; and a first-time $1,000 Community Impact Grant from the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau.

Also donating to the cause were: the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway, Inc. ($500); Delaware River Basin Commission ($250); Econo-Pak of Milford, PA ($250); Andy Boyar of Eldred, NY ($250); Grace Church of Callicoon, NY ($100); Perk’s Welding Co. LLC of Port Jervis, NY ($100); Connie Lloyd of Beach Lake, PA ($60); and Brenda Farmiloe, a Cochecton clean-up volunteer ($48.50).

Litter Leaders who stepped forward to organize clean-ups on these indicated dates were:

National Park Service (4/23) – Corrine Hinton, Volunteer Ambassador for the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River;

Town of Hancock (4/30) – Friends of the Upper Delaware River, Inc.;

Town of Fremont (4/27) – Mallory Lance and the Roscoe Family Nature Club;

Town of Delaware (4/14) – Delaware Town Clerk Tess McBeath; and (4/20) – Zach Scheitlin from Grizzly Bagels and Tess McBeath;

Town of Cochecton (4/20) – UDC Representative Larry H. Richardson;

Town of Tusten (4/20) – Narrowsburg Beautification Group coordinated by Marie Vaz;

Town of Highland (4/20) – UDC Representative Christine Martin, Matt Sallusto of Next Gen Property Services, Andy Boyar, and Frank Guzman;

Town of Lumberland (4/20) – UDC Alternate Frank Guzman;

Town of Deerpark (4/26) – UDC Representative and Alternate, 2024 Chairperson Ginny Dudko and Bill Dudko;

Damascus Township (4/16) – Tusten UDC Representative Evan Padua of Sweetwater Guide Service; (4/27) – Damascus Horse Lovers 4H Group coordinated by Teresa Kehagias;

Berlin Township (4/22) – UDC Representative Al Henry;

Lackawaxen Township (4/20) – Courtney Barden from Run, Walk Lackawaxen; and (4/20) – Growing Lackawaxen;

Shohola Township (4/22) – Ashley Briggs coordinating a Homeschool Group; and (4/26) – UDC Representative Aaron Robinson;

Westfall Township (4/28) – Bethany Montana and NPS Junior Ranger Johnny Montana.

The 2024 Upper Delaware Litter Sweep safety-pink t-shirts worn by volunteers featured a tranquil river scene of original artwork donated by freelance graphic designer Eric J. Hinkley.

WJFF Radio Catskill 90.5 FM served as the media sponsor by airing a series of public service announcements and two live “Radio Chatskill” interviews with UDC staff.

Other contributors of goods and services included trash removal or staffing at various clean-ups by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Town of Delaware Highway Department, Lackawaxen Township, Town of Deerpark, Town of Tusten, National Park Service, NextGen Dumpsters, Kratz Concrete Construction LLC, Cochecton Fire Station restaurant, Kittatinny Canoes, Aaron Robinson of Shohola Township, Leslie Abad of Berlin Township, and George Gattus of the Town of Delaware.

Food and beverages were donated to volunteers by the Greater Barryville Chamber of Commerce, Cup Bearer Coffee, The Hamlet Dream (Victor and Vanessa Mendes), Cottage Wines pizza party (Eve Fisher), Ascalona Campground, Mary Jones, Tusten Social, and the Blue Fox Motel buffet luncheon.

For information on the UDC and its activities, visit www.upperdelawarecouncil.org, www.facebook.com/UpperDelawareCouncil, Instagram @upperdelawarecouncil, and Twitter @UpperDelCouncil.