April 22, 2025| Community, Environment
By: Holly Odgers
This past Saturday morning, I had the pleasure of joining dozens of volunteers for the Lake Hopatcong Foundation’s annual roadside cleanup along Mt. Arlington Boulevard, part of Roxbury Township’s Adopt-a-Spot program. It was one of those warm spring mornings that make it hard to believe it was snowing just a week earlier—perfect weather for doing some good in celebration of Earth Day.
We gathered in front of the Nixon School, split into three groups, and worked our way along about 1.7 miles of Mt. Arlington Boulevard, collecting 28 bags of litter and debris, three tires, and an old crib discarded in the woods. But as satisfying as it was to see the pile of trash grow, what really stood out to me were the people behind the effort.
I had the chance to talk with several volunteers along the way, and their stories were just as uplifting as their actions. Nick and Vanessa, from the nearby Silver Springs area, brought their three kids to help out. Zoey and Owen were all in—scouting for litter like it was a treasure hunt, stuffing bags with their bounty while their youngest sibling provided enthusiastic support from a stroller. Their teamwork and enthusiasm were contagious.
I also met Annette and George, a recently married couple who live here at the lake and do great work for a composting company called Neighborhood Compost. Our conversation made it clear that they care deeply about sustainability and being active in their local community. Annette is also volunteering for our educational field trips this spring—we truly appreciate her support and commitment!
And then there was Mike and his teenage sons, Nathanial and Matthew. Though they don’t live in the area, they came to Lake Hopatcong to give back. Both brothers were earning community service hours for school and Scouts, and Nathanial, a student at the Academy of Environmental Science at Jefferson Township High School, is also scheduled to assist with some maintenance projects at our native gardens this spring! The two teamed up with one of our board members, Leon, to haul a large tire and litter from the gully at the southern end of the road—a tough job, and we’re so grateful for their hard work.
A special shout out also goes to Kim Hipwell from REMAX House Values and Lee Brand of BeautifulLEE Captured for sharing their photos from the day.
A huge thank-you to every volunteer who came out on a Saturday morning and made this cleanup a success. You remind us that it doesn’t take much time to create positive change—just a little care, community, and willingness to show up.
Until next time—great job, all!
