Operation Clean Sweep Helps Keep Warwick Beautiful

By Lourice Angie

      In an effort to help keep Warwick beautiful and maintain a litter free and healthier atmosphere for all, the return of Operation Clean Sweep, a crucial event that helps benefit the community and environment, was held beginning from Sun., Apr. 17 through Sun., Apr. 25. 

    Last year the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but through ongoing efforts led by Warwick Valley High School Sophomore and Girl Scout Elizabeth Verboys, and with the coordination of the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce as well as help from the community, this year’s event turned out to be one of the most participated to date. 

“There was such a tremendous turn out this year and a lot of trash to clean up. I want to thank everyone who came out and helped out,” said Verboys. 

  Various local groups, clubs, organizations and residents came together to adopt a Warwick road or street, clean up trash and discard unused items. Garbage bags and gloves were supplied to all registrants. The Villages of Greenwood Lake and Florida also joined in on the clean sweep effort by organizing garbage pick-up in their villages in collaboration with the Town. 

On Sat., Apr. 24, additional services were offered in the parking lot adjacent to the Chamber caboose. There was a paper shredding truck courtesy of the Warwick Lions Club and an eyeglass and hearing aid collection station. The prescription pill drop-off run by Warwick Valley Prevention Coalition collected several bags full of unused prescription medications. Electronics were collected by the Computer Guy and old and unused motor oil was collected at Leo Kaytes Ford. 

   Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michael Johndrow gave many compliments to Elizabeth Verboys for advocating and organizing the event.

“She’s the third edition as a tradition of the Girl Scouts. In two years, she’ll bring someone else in to carry the tradition. It’s a lot of work and it’s impressive that a young lady will step up and take on all of this,” said Johndrow.

The Department of Public Works (DPW) collected the litter filled trash bags on Mon., Apr. 26, and dropped them off at the Transfer Station located in Goshen. The County was very generous in waiving the fees for this event. Warwick Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton offered many thanks to County Executive Steve Neuhaus along with Legislators Barry Cheney, Paul Ruszkiewicz and John Vero for all of their support. Supervisor Sweeton also gave a special thanks to the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce and Verboys for their organization and efforts. 

  For additional information on this annual event contact the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce at www.warwickcc.org. 

On Sat., Apr. 24 during the annual Operation Clean Sweep event, coordinated by the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce (WVCC) & organized by Warwick Girl Scout Elizabeth Verboys, WVCC Executive Director Michael Johndrow is pictured with Verboys & her golden retriever Rosie, who is training to become a service dog.

 Members of the Warwick Valley Prevention Coalition collected & discarded prescription medication at Operation Clean Sweep.  Pictured (front row, from left) are: Warwick Police Officer Steve Helmrich, Project Director Annie Colonna, Coalition Coordinator Francesca Bryson & Technical Sergeant Luis J. Giron; & (back row): Staff Sergeant Julio Fernandez, 

The Warwick Lions Club provided a paper shredding truck service in the parking lot adjacent to the Warwick Valley Chamber caboose during the annual Operation Clean Sweep event.