SYRCL’s First-ever Yuba River “Clean-a-thon” Exceeds $25,000 Goal

Not only did 552 volunteers brave the elements to clean up the river on Saturday, September 21^st, but many of the volunteers also participated in our first-ever Clean-a-thon.  Thanks to their efforts, SYRCL raised $25,383 to support the annual Yuba River Cleanup Day and the new River Ambassador program– two programs dedicated to keeping the Yuba clean, safe, and healthy all year round.

“I want to thank all the Cleanup volunteers who also participated in SYRCL’s optional new Clean-a-thon.  Since the Cleanup Day and the River Ambassadors have real costs, we needed the community’s participation in the Clean-a-thon to keep them going,” said SYRCL’s Executive Director Caleb Dardick.  “By asking their friends and family to sponsor their day cleaning up the river, the Clean-a-thon participants helped provide a sorely-needed source of sustainable funding.”

More than 300 people donated to the Clean-a-thon, which also proved effective in attracting individual donations from 22 states and two countries outside the watershed. Local businesses sponsors contributed one-third of the funds raised in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $125. In addition, SYRCL’s sponsors provided generous prizes and gifts as an added incentive to Clean-a-thon participants.

Grand Prizes awarded in drawing to Clean-a-thon participants who raised $100 or more
All of the Clean-a-thon participants who raised $100 or more were entered into a random drawing for three Grand Prizes. (Note that SYRCL Boardmembers, staff, spouses and children were not eligible for the Grand Prizes.)

• Janet Cohen won the Rogue River Rafting Trip (for two with Bob Travers)
• Scott Hickman won the Sugar Bowl Ski Pass (slightly restricted), and
• Tonya Lindsey won the REI Half Dome Tent.

Clean-a-thon Participants who raised $50 or more earned great prizes, too
Many Clean-a-thon participants raised $50 or more, which earned them great prizes including a Patagonia day pack, a Klean Kanteen water bottle, a SYRCL t-shirt or SYRCL hat depending on the amount they raised.

Clean-a-thon supported the River Ambassadors’ 4,623 one-on-one talks with Yuba visitors
Two summers ago, SYRCL created the River Ambassador program because we realize that keeping the river from being trashed is more than a one-day-a-year activity. That’s why SYRCL’s River Ambassadors were out every weekend this summer educating visitors about how to keep the river clean and safe. Although the program has been largely funded by grants from the California State Parks Foundation, the Clean-a-thon promises to be a sustainable source of funding long-term.

We need your input to improve the Clean-a-thon for 2014
This year we set-up a new online system to help us better coordinate the Cleanup registration process as well as participate in the new Clean-a-thon. Unfortunately, changing to this new system frustrated some of our long-time volunteers. In addition, some of our volunteers did not understand that the Clean-a-thon was optional. We apologize for any inconvenience and confusion, and sincerely welcome your feedback on how to improve this process. Please email Miriam Limov with your suggestions for the 2014 Cleanup and Clean-a-thon.

Please join us in thanking the Cleanup Sponsors
Please be sure to thank these local businesses for their investment in keeping the Yuba clean:

A-One Bookkeeping
A to Z Supply
All Phase Heating and Air Conditioning
Automotive City
B&C Hardware
BriarPatch Co-op Market
California Solar Electric Company
cbec eco engineering
Charlie Brock, Coldwell Banker Grassroots Realty
Cirino’s at Main Street
Clientworks
Cost U Less Heating and Air
Darwin Stanley Leek (DC)
Fire Safe Council
Gold-N-Green
Grass Valley Sign Company
Gray Goose
KVMR
Mowen Solinsky Gallery
Mr. Rooter Plumbing
Nevada City Self Storage
Nevada Irrigation District
Nina Allen Acupuncture
PG&E Corporation Foundation
The Parent Resource Guide
REI
Sperry Van Ness – Highland Commercial
SRC Party Center
Stage Tech West
Sugar Bowl Resort
Telestream
Bob Travers
Trkac
Truckee Tahoe Airport District
The Union
Volz Bros
The Woolman Semester School
YubaNet News

Hearty thanks to all the food donors who helped feed several hundred hard-working volunteers

Broad Street Bistro
Carl’s Junior
Caroline’s Coffee
Cirino’s
Emily’s Catering and Cakes
Flour Garden Bakery
Harmony Ridge Market
Indian Springs Organic Farm
Johansen Ranch
Mountain Bounty Farm
Nevada County Free Range Beef
Starbright Acres Family Farm