“A lot of trash and garbage washes up from the streets and ends up directly in the Smith River,” said Tracy McKoy, the county’s beautification coordinator. “A clean river and a clean community not only means healthy fish and wildlife and cleaner drinking water for our citizens. It can also impact economic development and be a factor in companies’ decisions to locate in our region.”

Boxley sponsored the volunteer lunch this year and Angler’s Choice, Hugo’s, Rural King, Henry County, Henry County Public Safety, Rooster Walk, DRBA and Lisa Simons provided raffle prizes.

“No one gets paid to keep our waterways clean. The only people who do it are those very special volunteers who give up several hours on a Saturday morning,” said Tiffany Haworth, executive director of the DRBA. “Many people don’t realize that the trash they don’t put in the trash can ends up in the river. All it takes is for every resident of Martinsville and Henry County to take a moment and throw their trash where it belongs.”

The Dan River Basin Association is a nonprofit environmental organization that protects the region’s natural resources, such as the Dan River and its tributaries. The DRBA works to promote tourism as well as a healthy lifestyle. The DRBA assists communities in creating community parks, trails, and access to local rivers and streams. Its mission is to protect and promote the Dan River Basin through recreation, education, and stewardship.

Visit www.danriver.org to learn more about protecting and conserving our local natural resources and how you can get involved in your community.