Cleaning up Big Lake
BLEDC now hosts an annual clean up campaign where citizens have the opportunity to discard junk and debris free of charge and make a difference in Big Lake. At each of these events, approximately 20 tons of junk, old appliances, and other debris is tossed and many yards, alleyways and empty lots around the city are cleaned and beautified. The initial event was so successful to our goal that we decided to make it reoccurring in the Spring of each year. Volunteers and BLEDC board members and Staff organize and commit to the challenge of hauling the trash and debris as well as assisting the elderly and less able citizens rid their yards, alleys, vacant lots and other areas of trash, debris, and junk.
WE NEED YOU to make a difference!! Please help grow the pride in our town!! We can all make a BIG difference, a LITTLE at a time!!!
2024 - SPRING CLING FLING
Saturday, April 20, 2024
Due to much needed rain and cold temperatures, the 2024 Spring Clean Fling was not as successful as past years have been. The wet conditions required the city landfill to have to close earlier than expected so not as many people were allowed to take advantage of the free dumping. Volunteers were unable to pick up trash and debris from the alleys and vacant lots or other public spaces in the community.
However, volunteers helped until late afternoon to distribute trees to all that ventured out in the cold and wet weather. More than 200 flowering trees were distributed to families and citizens to be planted throughout our community. The only request....."Please take a picture after planting to show proof that the "life sustaining" trees were planted. Below are just a few of the pictures we received from the community. A special "THANKS" to all that obtained and planted the trees and forwarded their pics and stories after the planting! We also want to thank the volunteers that took the time to volunteer for the day and were able to brave the weather to distribute trees. Without volunteers like Melvin Davis, Jr; Nina Gonzales-Oropeza, and Amanda Esquivel and also staff members, Jimmy Barton, Christy Cervantes and Anaeca Oropeza, the annual Spring Clean Fling would not be successful at any time.
THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!
A huge THANK YOU to the following volunteers that braved the cold and wet weather to help clean up Big Lake. Due to the weather conditions, we could only distribute the trees received from Apache Corporation, but we did it with smiles!
L - R = Anaeca Oropeza, Christy Cervantes, Amanda Esquivel, Nina Gonzales-Oropeza, and Melvin Davis, Jr.
Be the DIFFERENCE in YOUR community!
"Everyone loves to see positive change in the community but few want to help make the change. Be one of the few that actually makes change happen."
This was this year's slogan to help recruit volunteers to help the elderly and/or disabled participate in the 2024 Spring Clean Fling
Plant a tree, for LIFE!
"Every tree planted provides much needed oxygen into the air while absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and utilizes it to build leaves, branches, trunk and roots."
Thanks to a grant from Apache Corporation, the Big Lake EDC was able to give away more than 200 flowering trees to volunteers and citizens of Big Lake. The trees below are the varieties that were available.
Vitex
American Plum
Dogwood
Crape Myrtle
Big Lake EDC receives grant from Apache Corporation!
For the 2nd year in a row, the Big Lake EDC received a grant from Apache Corporation for trees. More than 200 trees, consisting of Crape Myrtle, American Plum, Vitex, and Dogwood varieties. The trees were distributed to volunteers and citizens during the 2024 Spring Clean Fling.
2023 - Spring Clean Fling
April 21 - 22, 2023
Another successful Spring Clean Fling was held April 21 - 22, 2023. To coincide with Earth Day and in partnership with Keep Texas Beautiful, Big Lake volunteers again took to streets, alleyways and vacant lots picking up trash and debris to make Big Lake a better place to live, work and play. Along with the litter and trash collected by the volunteers, many tons of trash and debris was taken to the city landfill and disposed of for free, thanks to the generosity of the City Council of Big Lake.
The success of our efforts depends on the volunteers. A special THANK YOU to the following organizations and people for donating their time to help our cause:
RCISD Elementary Student Council: Presley Lopez, Oliver Barrera, Brantley McKay, Daniel Yanez and their sponsors, Sharon Turnbow and Renea Hallmark. Also volunteering and helping these students were Faith Hallmark and Addison Hallmark.
We also want to thank BLEDC Board Members Delfina Romero and Lissa Cammack and Mayor Pro-Tem Cindy O'Bryan for donating their time to volunteer and picking up trash and litter.
As well, Assistant Director/Beautification Partnership Committee Leader Kayla Neatherlin and Committee Members Loretta Epperson, and Amanda Esquivel spent much of the day picking up trash and volunteering their time.
We also want to thank locally owned Dos Amigos T-Shirt Company for doing a great job of making sure our logo was put on the safety vests and completed in time for the event to keep everyone safe.
Board Members
Lissa Cammack and Delfina Romero volunteer their time to make the Spring Clean Fling successful
Volunteers
BLEDC Board Members and staff, RCES Student Council, and Beautification Partnership Committee Members volunteer to "Clean Up Big Lake"
RCES Student Council
Future leaders and their sponsors took the time to volunteer to pick up trash from roads, alleyways, and the RC Courthouse during the 2023 Spring Clean Fling
Free Voucher for residents
Thanks to the generosity of the Big Lake City Council, residents of Big Lake were provided vouchers which allowed them to clean up their property and take the trash and debris to the city landfill for free on April 21 - 22, 2023. Many residents took advantage of this opportunity and eliminated many tons of junk, trash and debris from Big Lake.
Apache Corp grants trees
To coincide with the 2023 "SPRING CLEAN FLING", Apache Corp., granted BLEDC a donation of 50 trees native to the West Texas region. Drought, deer, and wind tolerant varieties were donated to be used at project sites, parks, and distributed to the public.
A very special THANK YOU to Apache Corp. for helping Big Lake stay beautiful.
2021 - Spring Clean Fling
April 22 - 24, 2021
In conjunction with Earth Day, the BLEDC hosted another City Wide Clean-up allowing free dumping on April 22 & 23, and junk pick up as well on April 24, 2021. 20+ tons of junk and debris was removed from alleyways, vacant lots, yards, and the streets of Big Lake.
We would like to thank ALL of the volunteers that made this event so successful. Just another way of proving we're HOMETOWN PROUD and why LIVING IS GREAT IN BIG LAKE!
Volunteers and workers included:
City crew - Sheri Benson (City Administrator), Leo, Tyler Doege, Maria, Felipe, George Barrera, Josh Row, Justin Chavez, Elijah Reyes, Ysmeal Villareal, Alfonso Ybarra, and others; Lissa Cammack and Cindy O'Bryan (Big Lake City Council), Kim Sexton (BLEDC Board President), Miranda Davidson (BLEDC Board Secretary/Treasurer), Sylvia Campos, Haley Rich, Aaron Gunnels, Elder Murdock, Elder Hargraves, Desiree Romero, Loretta Epperson (Director, BL Chamber of Commerce), Kayla Neatherlin (BLEDC Assist. Director), Jimmy Barton (BLEDC Exec. Director), and all of the citizens of Big Lake that brought debris and garbage to be disposed of. THANK YOU Everyone!!
More than 24 volunteers and workers showed up to help! #AWESOME
Members of the Big Lake City Council as well as BLEDC Board Members volunteered their time!!
City workers made sure everything was done right!!
More than 20 tons of debris and garbage were removed from alleyways, vacant lots, private property and the streets of Big Lake
More than 24 volunteers and workers showed up to help! #AWESOME
Members of the Big Lake City Council as well as BLEDC Board Members volunteered their time!!
City workers made sure everything was done right!!
More than 20 tons of debris and garbage were removed from alleyways, vacant lots, private property and the streets of Big Lake
2020 - Fall Junk Haul
November 14, 2020
The first event was a very successful clean up initiative that rid many tons of junk, old appliances, discarded furniture, and other debris. Many yards, alleyways and empty lots around the city were cleaned and beautified with the help of volunteers, City of Big Lake personnel and EDC staff.
Volunteers include Jake and Kelly Ferguson and Larry and Nina Hallmark. City personnel were Mayor Phil Pool, City Administrator Sheri Benson, Josh Row, Karen Arnie, Ashley Rangel, Mario Botello, Justin Chavez, Tyler Doege, George Barrera and others. BLEDC Administrative Assistant Kayla Neatherlin kept things moving as well.
Volunteers were invaluable!!
Several tons of debris were cleared from our alleys, vacant lots, and yards!!
Another trailer load of "junk"
Hauling away the "Junk"
Friends helping Friends - Neighbors helping Neighbors
City Crew brought the "Big Guns"!!
A lot of work but a lot of fun!