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By Pete McIntyre
Five needles found

Volunteers remove 150 pounds of garbage from Vernon beach

May 23, 2020 | 3:02 PM

Residents have pitched-in to clean up a popular Vernon beach.

About 30 volunteers gathered at Kin Beach and Sandy Beach on Okanagan Lake for a few hours Saturday morning in a citizens-led effort to pick up trash, furniture, and discarded drug paraphernalia at the site.

Photo courtesy of FACTS – First Aid Certified Training Systems

“To everyone who showed up to clean the beach today: We did two dump runs not counting the furniture. We picked up 150 lbs of garbage, found 5 needles and a pile of cigarette butts. This my friends is what life is about,” said organizer Katie Mather.

“My heart is FULL, something so small turned into something so big. I made new friends met people from all over our community and had a blast today! From the absolute bottom of my heart thank you!!!,” added Mather.

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Mather gave thanks to the businesses that donated to the effort:

Facts – First Aid Certified Training Systems)First Aid Certified Training Systems)
Great West Equipment
Mobil One Gas
Telus
The ladies at the RDNO landfill for paying for the dump fees

The City of Vernon is responsible for maintaining the city-owned portion of the beach while the Okanagan Indian Band looks after the eastern part known as Sandy Beach.

by Pete McIntyre
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