FORT SILL, Okla. -- Cleaning up Lawton-Fort Sill can pay off big -- especially for one Co-Op volunteer who found a $20 bill while cleaning the field next to Wal-Mart on 67th Street.
Maddison Deavours, whose mother is a Co-Op member, found the money proving that when you give a little effort you can receive dividends, but there was more than monetary gain to be had at the 24th Annual Co-Op Trash Off April 28.
"Everyone benefits when we clean up our community, and it also gives unit Co-Ops and their downtown partners a chance to get out and do things together," said Staff Sgt. Mike Chavers, Fort Sill Co-Op program manager. "It's a win-win because our surroundings look better and the Co-Op program is building partnerships for today and the future."
Capt. Linwood Nelson, A Battery, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Field Artillery commander, was right in the middle of his Soldiers and several Co-Op groups.
"It's an opportunity to get involved in the community and support our Co-Op partners, Playcare. I think it's a great program and cleaning up trash gives all of us more pride in our community," he said. "I brought 10 volunteer Soldiers here today and there are several other Co-Op partner groups as well. It makes cleaning up a field of this size faster having so many people to help."
The Lawton-Fort Sill Cooperative Program, operated by the Lawton-Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was established in 1980 for the purpose of encouraging and fostering a spirit of friendship, mutual cooperation and understanding between service members and their civilian counterparts. The program brings together Fort Sill units and community businesses. The Co-op is about people working together for the betterment of their communities and building friendships that last a lifetime.
"The Co-Op program is a great opportunity for Soldiers and civilians to interact in the community and make it a better place. It's a very beneficial program for both parties and it will continue to produce results and maintain the relationships in the community," said Nelson.
The field was not the only Lawton area getting a much needed facelift. Chavers said more than 90 Co-Op volunteers were out in the community cleaning and beautifying those vacant areas that always seem to collect trash and debris.
Chavers said the event is a part of the Great American Cleanup, and Earth Day was last week so this event is the local wrap up of those programs. There were volunteers all over town and the central location was McMahon Audito-rium. Residents are encouraged to bring all unwanted debris and recyclable items.
"Items including tires, appliances and refrigerators, auto batteries, automotive oil and paints, plastics, newspaper, cardboard, aluminum cans, computers, hazardous materials and pharmaceuticals were all accepted and disposed of," said Chavers.
Besides beautifying the city, "Trash-Off" day was also a competition for volunteer groups to win several prizes in categories like picking up the most trash.
"The Lawton Fort Sill Co-Op partners provide a majority of those volunteers every year, and are give n an area of town to collect trash along the roads in Lawton. In this statewide competition, the city that collects the most trash wins the coveted Hub Cap award, which with the support of the Co-op program, Lawton has won many times," said Laura Hagen, communications manager for the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
This year's Trash Off was concentrated a little differently from the past years. "For the 24th annual event, the city will clean-up ditches, creeks, and hit the residential streets compared to years past where their efforts focused more on the main thoroughfares," said Hagen.
The Trash Off is one of several annual events for the Co-Op program. The next event is the Co-Op Military Appreciation and Family Fun Day at Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area July 14.
"The Co-Op program puts units on post with a local business to partner together to make a difference for the community," said Chavers. "And the units and their partners all are richer for the time and effort they put into to helping in the community."
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