Announcing the Third Annual Lavaca River Clean-Up in Downtown Hallettsville will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025

The Lavaca County community is invited to participate in the Third Annual Lavaca River Clean-Up on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in downtown Hallettsville. The event will kick off at 8 a.m. at the Hallet Oak Gallery, where participants will receive a safety briefing, t-shirts, and be divided into two teams. The public is welcome to join the effort, and the clean-up will start promptly at 8:30 a.m. as the teams head to two locations along the river to clean simultaneously at two bridges: the County Road 1 Poor Farm Bridge and the Hwy 77/90 Bridge.

Volunteers will work from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., and group photos will be taken at 10 a.m.

“This event is about making a meaningful difference by cleaning up the Lavaca River in just 45 minutes. Feedback from last year’s clean-up showed it was a fun and rewarding experience, and participants felt good knowing they were helping the river, which benefits our community,” said Mieko Mahi, President of the Hallet Oak Foundation’s Friends of Lavaca River group.

Participating Groups:

• Friends of Lavaca River Group
• Hallettsville Girl Scouts Troop 9513
• Yoakum Girl Scouts Troop 9431
• Hallettsville Cub Scouts Pack 223
• Other non-profit groups and individuals interested in participating.

Spectators are welcome to set up chairs and watch the clean-up efforts.

Coordinated Items and Safety:

Team leaders will ensure the safety and success of the event by having extra supplies in their vehicles, including bottled water, Gatorade, bug spray, sunscreen, and safety kits.

Sponsors of the Annual Clean-Up are  Inteplast Group, The Lavaca-Navidad River Authority, represented by Patrick Brzozowski and Chad Kinsfather. Additionally, TxDOT will donate safety vests, and Hallet Oak Foundation’s Friends of Lavaca River group will provide 50 bandanas. Donuts will be available for participants.

Special Thanks to:

• Steven Pituch of Hallet Oak Gallery for photography coverage.
• Inteplast Group for providing caps, safety glasses, gloves, whistles, and trash bags.
• Lavaca-Navidad River Authority for t-shirts and support.
• Judge Keith Mudd for the official announcement and proclamation of the Lavaca River Awareness and Clean-Up Day.
• RL Bordovsky of Town & Country LLC and Tommy Tumis of Tumis Tire and Automotive for their personal contributions to the event’s success.
• One-Day Trash Dumpster Use at the 77/90 Bridge – all trash must be deposited by 11:00 am.

This annual clean-up aims to improve the Lavaca River’s condition and promote environmental awareness. We look forward to seeing you there!

HOW TO PREPARE FOR RIVER CLEAN UP

What to Wear:

• Rubber boots or old cowboy boots – essential for trudging through muddy or wet terrain, and they’ll keep your feet protected.
• Long jeans and long-sleeve shirt – good for protecting your legs and arms from rough brush, insects, or any debris in the environment.
• Sunglasses – to protect your eyes from the sun and any flying debris.
• Sunscreen – very important to avoid sunburn while out in the wilderness.
• Bug spray – because it’s a wilderness area, and bugs can be a nuisance.

What to Expect:

• It’s a great event that gets people of all ages involved in cleaning up the river. The volunteers tend to spread out, and sometimes they’ll encounter wildlife like snakes or turtles, which can be a memorable part of the experience.
• Snakes you encounter will usually be moving away from you— watch where you step because of broken glass, large rocks and holes.
• While kids are encouraged not to pick up glass, adults take on the responsibility for it, which keeps everyone safe.
• This event is about more than just cleaning up; it’s about fostering a sense of community responsibility and teaching younger generations that the health of the river is something we all need to care about.

Event Schedule:

1. 8:00 AM: Meet at Hallet Oak Gallery for check-in, receive safety gear (like gloves), and a safety briefing by Chad Kinsfather from the Lavaca Navidad River Authority.
2. 8:30 AM: Split into teams. You’ll have the choice between working near the Hwy 77/90 Bridge or the CR 1 Poor Farm Bridge. These areas will be worked on simultaneously by two teams. Cones, trucks, and signs will direct you to your area.
3. 9:00 AM: Clean-up begins, and there will be water and donuts provided to keep everyone fueled. Spectators are welcomed.
4. 9:45 AM: Clean-up ends.
5. 10:00 AM: Group photo at the Hwy 77/90 Bridge to celebrate the effort!

Previous Comments:

This event seems like a fun, rewarding experience, almost like an “Easter Egg hunt” for trash. The teamwork required for pulling out heavier items—like tires—makes it a great bonding experience. The cleanup process goes really fast when a lot of people are involved, which is key to getting the job done quickly and efficiently.

A Few Tips:

• Ask and plan if teams have any special equipment to pull out tires or dumped large items that they see in advance that will require special skills/tools to remove. These are often very heavy and can be filled with sand.
• If you’re in a team, make sure to stay coordinated, where to park safely off the road and too, to stay away from walking onto the roadway where oncoming traffic isn’t slowing down for pedestrians.
• Enjoy the process and be proud of the tangible impact you’re making in the community!