Xstream Cleanup a Success - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

Xstream Cleanup a Success

By Natalie Zarowny
nzarowny@cbs4qc.com

More than 200 plus turned out to the barge site in Davenport for XStream Cleanup 2012.

And they sorted through thousands of pounds of trash.

"This is how we do it, cause this is how we do it, we should've started out with this song," said Chad Pregracke, singing along to a DJ's track.

Chad's fun–loving attitude and passion for cleaning up the Mississippi made this year's Xstream Cleanup a big success.

As founder of the Living Lands and Water Foundation, he sees a lot of people get excited about cleaning up the Mississippi and other local waterways.

"This is awesome, I think that everyone needs to know about this," said Heidi Atchison, a first time volunteer.

There were volunteers out at 43 sites all around the Quad City area.

The main event was at the barge in Davenport, where thousands of pounds of garbage was sorted and recycled.

"Recycling pop cans and pop bottles," listed Jecca Sample, a volunteer.

All to help beautify, volunteers said, and to give back to their community.

"I like to fish a lot, and I've always seen the trash on the river so, this is the perfect opportunity to clean some of that up," said Ralph Dickinson, longtime volunteer.

As for the leftover trash, Chad isn't worried about it.

"We'll sort it out, down the road, it's alright," he said.

Crews have been taking part in the Xstream Cleanup for nine year now, and there's no sign of stopping them.