Tehachapi's Earth Day Makeup Day

On Tuesday, May 23, more than 20 volunteers from the Tehachapi community came out to the rescheduled Earth Day litter removal event. Due to rain and snow in April the litter removal was postponed for safety concerns.

More than 460 pounds of litter and debris was removed from the Antelope Run Walk/Bike Path, Cherry Lane and Valley Blvd.

"Our community continues to show up, roll up their sleeves and put sweat equity into Tehachapi. That's one of the reasons this is a special place to call home," said event coordinator, Key Budge. "At this cleanup event it was our realtors and real estate agents that came out in force and volunteered. We also had business owners step up and volunteer their services. This was the biggest collaboration of businesses, government agencies and community volunteers to join for an Earth Day clean up event in recent memory."

While giving the safety briefing to the volunteers, the Sonic Drive-In manager walked over and announced they would be donating large drinks to all the participants when they were done. He said he knew it was going to be warm and just appreciated everyone volunteering to clean up the community. Tim Kirkpatrick, owner of Tehachapi Mountain Hauling Service donated the use of his business to gather the bags of debris, transport to the landfill and paid the disposal fees. Caltrans donated safety gear, pickers and trash bags for the event, as well. Caltrans also had their team cleaning up litter along Highway 202 in Old Town Tehachapi.

Special thanks to the Tehachapi Area Association of Realtors (TAAR), Tehachapi Mountain Hauling Service, Sonic Drive-In, Tehachapi Cummings County Water District, Caltrans, Tehachapi Police Department and the City of Tehachapi Public Works Department.

This litter removal project along the Antelope Run path brought the community together as joggers, cyclists and walkers were using the trail during the event.

For more information contact Key Budge (661) 822-2200, ext. 119.