How one volunteer committee is turning everyday actions into lasting community change
Every spring, communities across the country mark Earth Day with events, speeches, and good intentions. But in Clarke County, Virginia, the celebration goes far beyond symbolic gestures. This year, the Clarke County Litter Committee is bringing together dozens of organizations, hundreds of volunteers, and an entire community ready to roll up its sleeves — and the results are already making a difference.
On a recent episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael talks with John Keim, a dedicated volunteer with the Clarke County Litter Committee, about what’s happening on April 25th and why it matters far more than most people realize. Click here to listen.
A Day Packed With Purpose
First and foremost, mark your calendar: Clarke County’s Earth Day celebration takes place on April 25th from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Clarke County Fairgrounds. The event kicks off with a community litter pickup at 9:00 AM, setting the tone for a day that blends education, fun, and real community action.
From there, the day opens up into something for everyone. Attendees can listen to a speaker from the Virginia Department of Transportation discuss the Adopt-a-Highway program, watch a live glass bottle crushing demonstration, learn how to install a rain barrel at home, and browse vendor booths from local organizations including Blandy Experimental Farm, the Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardeners, the Shenandoah River Keepers, and the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center.
Meanwhile, families with kids can enjoy face painting, live music, and a food truck. As the afternoon wraps up, a raffle and silent auction round out the day. In short, there is no shortage of reasons to show up.
More Than a Cleanup — It’s an Education
Beyond the festivities, however, lies a deeper mission. As John explains during the conversation, the event is specifically designed to sneak education into a fun, accessible setting — and it works.
“Sometimes coming to an event like this, they go because it’s fun,” Janet notes. “And then they realize, oh wait, I could actually put a rain barrel in my house and it’s not as complicated as I thought it was.”
That kind of incidental learning is exactly what the Litter Committee is counting on. Rather than lecturing people about environmental responsibility, the event invites them in with good food, good music, and good company — and lets the information follow naturally.
The Real Cost of Litter
One of the most eye-opening moments of the conversation comes when John breaks down the financial impact of roadside trash. According to John, Virginia DOT collects roughly 350,000 bags of trash per year at an estimated cost of $9.3 million to the state. Each bag costs approximately $30 to collect.
“If 10 of you did that, now we’re looking at more,” John pointed out. “And then you do that every so often — there’s a trickle-down effect that is very beneficial.”
In other words, volunteering for a litter pickup is not just good for the environment. It is also a direct investment in better public services and lower costs for every taxpayer in the state.
Furthermore, the problem extends well beyond aesthetics. Trash that washes into local waterways can affect livestock, harm wildlife, and disrupt the ecosystems that make Clarke County’s countryside so attractive in the first place. As John puts it, “It’s not just about, hey, let’s clean this area around us. It’s about learning about other ways to help.”
Small Actions, Big Impact
Importantly, neither John nor Janet want anyone to feel like participation requires a major commitment. Throughout the conversation, both emphasize that even the smallest actions carry real weight.
“You can do a bunch of little things and a bunch of small things that then add up when you have a hundred, 200 other people doing the same things,” Janet says.
John agrees, sharing that his own involvement with the Litter Committee started simply — with daily walks where he and his wife picked up trash in their rural neighborhood. Over time, those small efforts grew into a deeper commitment. Today, he not only volunteers at monthly pickups but also independently adopts stretches of road around Clarke County.
The takeaway is simple: you do not need three free hours on a Saturday morning to make a difference. A 20-minute walk with your dog, a trash bag tucked in your pocket, and a willingness to notice what’s around you — that is enough to start.
Investing in the Next Generation
Looking ahead, the Litter Committee is also focusing on building a culture of environmental stewardship among younger residents. Already, the group has run design contests with local elementary school students, whose artwork now appears on litter-awareness signs across the county. Additionally, the committee sponsors a college scholarship for high school students, encouraging the next generation to think seriously about environmental issues.
“If you find a couple kids who can become more involved, more interested — then you’ve reached somebody that can help,” John says. “That’s the goal.”
How to Get Involved
Whether you attend the Earth Day event, join a monthly pickup, or simply start grabbing a piece of trash on your next neighborhood walk, there is a place for you in this effort.
- Earth Day Event: April 25th, 9 AM – 2 PM, Clarke County Fairgrounds
- Website:Â https://www.clarkecounty.gov/government/boards-commissions/litter-committee
- Email: litterfree@clarkecounty.gov
Listen to the Full Conversation
There is plenty more in the full interview — including John’s story about confronting a stranger at a park, Janet’s vacuum cleaner analogy, and a candid conversation about what it really feels like to make your community a little cleaner.
👉 Click here to listen to the full episode of The Valley Today:https://bit.ly/3OBPz89
Because as John puts it: if a road looks clean, it’s only because somebody was out there picking it up. Maybe next time, that somebody is you.
