The Fourth Annual Lavaca River Clean-Up, held Saturday, March 28, in downtown Hallettsville, brought together volunteers of all ages for a morning of environmental stewardship, community spirit, and measurable impact.
Organized by the Friends of the Lavaca River group in partnership with the Lavaca- Navidad River Authority (LNRA), the City of Hallettsville, and Lavaca County, the event was hailed as a success by coordinator Mieko Mahi, who also serves as president of the Hallet Oak Foundation’s environmental initiative.
Volunteers gathered at 8 a.m. at Hallet Oak Gallery for check-in, where they received supplies and attended a safety briefing led by Chad Kinsfather, director of environmental services for LNRA. Participants then split into teams and headed to two cleanup sites: the County Road 1 Poor Farm Bridge and the Highway 77/90 Bridge.
The clean-up began at 9 a.m., with teams working efficiently along the Lavaca River. In just 45 minutes, volunteers collected debris before regrouping for a commemorative photo at 10 a.m.
“This event shows what a community can accomplish together in a short amount of time,” said Mahi. “It’s not just about picking up trash—it’s about building awareness and encouraging everyone to help keep our river clean.”
Darrell Wachel, a volunteer, explained, “Among the more unusual items recovered were a cast iron stove with a frying pan, a dog igloo, and a full can of hairspray.” Chad Kinsfather of LNRA noted, “Overall trash levels were lower than in previous years, with most debris consisting of common litter such as cigarette packs, Styrofoam cups, and beverage containers—an encouraging sign of growing environmental awareness.”
Participating groups included members of the Friends of the Lavaca River, staff and families from LNRA, and numerous local volunteers.
The event was made possible through the support of community partners and sponsors, including Inteplast Group, LNRA, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the City of Hallettsville, and local leaders and residents. Special thanks were extended to R.L. Bordovsky of Town & Country, Julie and John Martisek, and H-E-B for providing bottled water and Gatorade, as well as Tx-DOT for supplying safety vests.
Media and outreach partners—including Crossroads Today (KAVU-TV Channel 25), Hallettsville Tribune-Herald, De-Witt County Today, Schulenburg Sticker, Newsbreak, and local social media platforms such as Hallet Oak Gallery and the Hallettsville Chamber of Commerce—also played a key role in promoting the event.
Mahi emphasized that the clean-up represents more than a single day of service. “Real change happens through everyday actions,” she said. “Small efforts—like picking up litter or setting an example— create a ripple effect that leads to lasting impact.”
Community members are encouraged to get involved year-round through environmental stewardship and conservation efforts, including opportunities like becoming a Lavaca County Environmental Conservation Ranger.
The Friends of the Lavaca River group invites volunteers and spectators to join next year’s event. Participants can meet at 8 a.m. at Hallet Oak Gallery or head directly to one of the bridge sites at 9 a.m. Volunteers are encouraged to wear rubber boots, long sleeves, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and bug spray.
“Every volunteer, sponsor, and supporter helped make this day possible,” Mahi said. “We are truly grateful for a community that cares so deeply about protecting the Lavaca River.”
