On behalf of the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center we want to say how deeply appreciative we are to be a part of this Homer community which went above and beyond to participate in this year’s Cleanup Day event. I must say, waking up to see the snow made me have my doubts, but with the help of so many volunteers, we were barbecuing in the snow in no time. It was great to see the amount of dedication and discipline we received from the younger Homer generation. They understand the importance of keeping our community clean and at some points were even in heavy competition on who could bring in more bags.

It was great to see the amount of people and especially kids who were out picking up trash at various places around town. With everyone’s help, we were able to clean up areas on East End Road, Ocean Drive, Kachemak Drive, Pennock Street, East Hill Road, Skyline Drive, West Hill Road, Baycrest Hill, Sabrina, Rochelle, and many more.

This year’s Cleanup Day would not have been possible without the generous donations of our amazing local community businesses. We had more than $2,500 worth of donations. These donors include Sundog Consultants, Kachemak Bay Rotary, The Grog Shop, Homer Bookstore, Tech Connect & RadioShack, Cosmic Kitchen, Homer’s Jean’s, Captain Patties Fish House, Ulmer’s Drug and Hardware, Loopy Lupine, Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, Spenard Builders Supply, South Peninsula Hospital, Franco and Caroline Venuti, Lion’s Club, Alaska Waste, Jackie and Clay Norvell, AJ’s Old Town Steakhouse, the Homer News, Sourdough Express, Fat Olives, Icicle Seafoods, Dibble Creek Rock LTD, Homer Real Estate, Save U More, Nomar,  Safeway and Moore & Moore. If you see any of these people be sure to give them a big thank you. 

Hot dogs were provided by Kachemak Bay Lions, who also generously donated four bikes and helmets for kids who were participating in Cleanup Day. Kachemak Bay Rotary volunteers manned the dumpsters and volunteer Dale Banks of Loopy Lupine Distribution organized and manned the recycling operation with his volunteers. Alaska Waste, Kenai Peninsula Borough, and Moore & Moore Services donated dumpsters, recycling containers and delivery of both.

Again, the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center would like to give a big thank you to everyone who was involved in making this year’s Cleanup Day such an inspiring event.