CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Charlottesville Litter Pickers will be contributing to the cleanup effort of the Rivanna Encampment on Saturday, and the volunteer group is encouraging the public to lend a hand. 

Organizer John Fowley leads a weekly effort from 2-4 p.m. every Saturday, picking up garbage at a chosen site in Charlottesville or Albemarle County, which is all hauled away with the help of the Albemarle Moving and Junk Removal free of charge.  The group choose their sites based around waterways that drain into the Rivanna River, hearing what places needed help through word of mouth, and what Fowley sees firsthand on his bike. 

“I’m a fairly avid cyclist,” Fowley told Cville Right Now, “so I find it’s a good way to combine two things I’m passionate about.” 

The technology consultant took over organizing duties of the Cville Litter Pickers from its founder, who set up all the necessary infrastructure but had to vacate his role following an out of state move. 

Lucas Di Cesare with Albemarle Moving and Junk Removal estimates that the Litter Pickers are able to fill 25-45 bags of garbage on Saturday, sometimes 30-100 over the course of a weekend.  He views what his company does, even without financial compensation, as extremely important. 

“The least we can do is show up with a truck. They should be spending their afternoon picking up trash, not figuring out how to get rid of it,” Di Cesare told Cville Right Now. 

Albemarle Moving and Junk Removal disposes the garbage safely and properly, taking every load to the Ivy Material Utilization Center.  The service that they provide, Fowley says, is invaluable. 

“It would not be possible to do cleanups this often without Lucas stepping in and carrying things away,” Fowley said. “Factoring in logistics and disposal, the cost would prevent us from doing this without Lucas.” 

In the month of August, the Litter Pickers picked up 45 bags on Saturday, Aug. 1 at the Big Lots on Branchlands Boulevard.  On Aug. 22, they brought the biggest volunteer number so far for an end-to-end cleanup at Tonsler Park. 

Fowley shared that the group has collected around 380 bags of garbage since late July. 

Following the September 1 clearing of the Encampment, the effort remains ongoing along the Rivanna trail to clear what was left behind.  

“The city and contractors did a great job getting the bulk of the cleanup done,” Fowley said. “We’ll be working on some of the small things left behind, in the woods and just off the trail.” 

No experience is needed, and all necessary equipment is provided for those looking to help.  The cleanup begins on Saturday at 2 p.m, beginning at the Rivanna River Company Parking Lot. 

“It’s an easy way to spend a few hours a week doing something that not only helps the environment but the community around us as well,” Fowley said.     

More information is available on the group’s website.