Volunteer cleanup effort launched
by Jennifer Krahe

CAVE CREEK – You probably saw them early Saturday morning–one marshal, one deputy marshal, assorted public works employees, Maricopa County Sheriff’s volunteers and roughly 100 kids and adults, bags in hand, and brightly colored vests on their backs. 

They were picking up trash along Carefree Highway and Cave Creek Road.

The volunteers were members of the Church of Latter‑day Saints, rising to a challenge from their leaders to give back to the community. Cave Creek Marshal Adam Stein and some of his sheriff’s deputies were also present to keep them safe.

Stein on Monday estimated the volunteers hauled away approximately five tons of garbage. Among the refuse were a couch, a microwave oven, a television set and two firearms, he said.

The LDS Church in Scottsdale recently challenged its members to go out and get more involved in the community.

“We find ourselves always asking for more (from Cave Creek), said Jake Grover, a local mortgage broker and LDS member. “We want to help the town officials with their burden.” 

So the LDS Church contacted Cave Creek a call and spoke to Stein.

Stein said, “I considered some projects, and when they told me there would be close to 100 volunteers, I thought about our greatest needs–there is just tons and tons of debris and garbage on Carefree Highway and Cave Creek Road.”

The group is hoping to establish a permanent, semi‑annual volunteer cleanup initiative.