Cleaning up for cash is an excellent way for community groups to fill their piggy bank

The chance to earn cash while working as a team and helping clean up Whitecourt is available to those interested. The Town of Whitecourt’s Community Cleanup Program is a yearly opportunity allowing non-profit organizations, sports teams, and other community groups to apply for access to funds in exchange for some elbow grease.

Chelsea Grande, Director of Community Services, was the acting CAO during a recent Town Council meeting and explained that groups would be cleaning up roadside ditches, playgrounds, and sports fields. “The program provides each group with a maximum of $1,200 based on the number of hours worked,” she said.

“To date, six groups have applied for the program. Administration is recommending that the six applied groups be approved,” explained Grande. The groups were Spruceview Lodge Activities Group, St. Patrick’s Anglican Church, Whitecourt Taekwondo, U15 Whitecourt Warriors Boys Soccer Team, U15 Whitecourt Warriors Girls Outdoor Soccer Team, Scuba Diving Team for Rotary Pond Cleaning.

Five groups applied to clean on foot, in the ditches and parks, and one group, the Scuba Diving Team for Rotary Pond Cleaning, applied to remove trash from the pond. The total budget allocation for the 2023 program is $9,600. If all six teams complete 100 hours of work, funding would still be left over. Grande said Council could allow the Administration to select other community groups that apply, up to the remainder of the budget.

Deputy Mayor Braden Lanctot asked if there was a map of where groups would be cleaning and when. He also asked if it was a spring-specific program or if groups could work on the areas throughout the summer. Kamruz Zaman, Director of Infrastructure Services, said groups had until the end of August, at which point the program would wrap up for the year.

He also explained that they would provide each group with a map of the areas. The Town of Whitecourt supplies picking sticks, gloves, and vests to keep volunteers safe. Groups are also provided with garbage bags and water bottles.

Another part of the process is that groups must undergo mandatory safety training before heading out to clean. Volunteers could likely come across something hazardous or heavy, and the Town of Whitecourt wants them prepared to deal with it. Participants should avoid picking up broken glass, needles, syringes, or chemical/pesticide containers. Instead, they will flag those items with provided flag markers and mark the site on their maps. Town staff will then return to dispose of the flagged items safely.

Groups must designate certain leadership positions, such as a first aid person, who is responsible for bringing along a first aid kit, and a managing supervisor who will keep everyone on track, make sure they are following safety rules and will manage the collection of provided supplies at the end of the day. For sports teams that want to participate, there must be one adult supervisor for every two children between 9-14 and one adult for every five children between 15-17.

When asked if groups that complete their cleanup, and collect their funds, could apply again for another round if there was still funding in the budget left over, Zaman said yes. He explained that once the first round of groups had completed their work and submitted their claim form for payment, if funding remained, they would select more groups to participate.

Zaman said that last year, only one group applied for the program. He said it was nice to see more groups using the program this year. When asked how large of an area the groups would be cleaning, Zaman explained that it was based on something other than distance or location size. “It depends on hours worked, not the area.” He said the areas to be cleaned included along Highway 43 and Dahl Drive, Govenlock Road, Tower Road, and in parks and sports fields such as Rotary Park.

“When they finish in one, groups can go to the next area on the map if they need the hours,” said Zaman. When groups apply, they specify the hours they will be cleaning for, either 50 or 100 hours, and will work in whatever areas on the map necessary to fill that quota. They will receive $12 for each hour of service they complete. As cleaning occurs, groups will put up signage to inform motorists of their activity. Town of Whitecourt staff will pick up filled garbage bags after a group is finished. Town Council voted unanimously to approve the six applications presented and gave discretion to Administration to accept more applications up to the program’s budget of $9,600.