Muncie unites for annual White River Clean-Up in wake of recent flooding

Just weeks after destructive floodwaters swept through Muncie, a different kind of surge hit the White River shore on Saturday, Sept. 19: a record-breaking wave of volunteers.

In the wake of the recent severe flooding that devastated parts of Muncie, the local community channeled its recovery efforts into action through the annual White River Clean-Up.

According to Muncie-Delaware Clean and Beautiful, since 2006, Muncie has held an annual White River Clean-Up event that aims to remove garbage and litter from the White River. With hundreds of participants covering 135 miles of river, this is Delaware County’s largest annual single-day volunteer initiative.

Driven by a shared sense of responsibility and a strong love for the outdoors, a record-breaking  number of Muncie citizens arrived at West Park to clear away litter and debris as the event honored two decades of community service.

Due to the city’s recent flooding in mid-August, there was an overabundance of garbage present within the White River prior to the clean-up. However, what is usually a routine beautification effort was transformed into a display of community resilience, proving that when disaster strikes, Muncie shows up.

When introducing this year’s cleanup, organizers emphasized that the river needed immediate help.

“The flooding was really a trauma that was inflicted on the community,” said Jeff Hanser, board president of the Muncie White River Clean-Up event.

Hanser acknowledged the floods caused extensive damage throughout the community, and many who lost their homes continue to face ongoing challenges. Hanser also said the surge in participation this year is a direct response to the recent environmental trauma.

“The river is literally Delaware County’s best natural resource. We need to maintain that. Every person around here has a responsibility to help with that.” Hanser explained.

He went on to express that while the Muncie community can sometimes feel divisive, “when the chips are down…they will come together.”

This year’s turnout allowed for an intensive cleaning of the White River, with five groups working directly in the water and five more cleaning along the shore. The extra help allowed volunteers to clean thoroughly throughout the river.

Jeff Robinson, an active seven-year veteran and leader of the White River Clean-Up, observed that his team had grown significantly this year, with 20 volunteers instead of the usual seven or eight.

Over his years of involvement, Robinson’s teams have removed large debris from the river, including car and tractor tires. “I’ve only pulled three out: two car tires and a tractor tire,” he said, highlighting what he removed from the river this year, as well as the ongoing impact of the community’s efforts.

By the end of the event, volunteers had gathered and removed heaps of debris and litter, guaranteeing that the waste would not find its way back into the river.

In light of the success of this year’s White River Clean-Up, organizers are already planning for next year — which will mark the milestone 20th anniversary of the event.

Hanser plans to build off of this year’s momentum to keep people involved, emphasizing that the river is Muncie’s most valuable resource.

Robinson shared the same ambition, hoping that this year’s attendees spread awareness of the event around Muncie. “My hope is next year that we have triple this amount for the 20th year and we find some new long-term volunteers out of that as well,” Robinson said.

Associate News Editor Lou Harris contributed to this story.

Contact Jacob Molloy via email at jacob.molloy@bsu.edu.

This article is republished as part of a collaborative content-sharing agreement between Ball State Unified Media and Indiana Public Radio, established to expand access to high-quality journalism and to better inform and serve the public through trusted, in-depth reporting.