Alton Lake area cleanup in 1967

A summer day on the river has a way of making people feel proud of where they live. The water is moving, boats are out, families are together, and the whole Alton Lake area feels like it belongs to everyone. That shared feeling is exactly why Pride has cared about litter since the very beginning.

In July of 1967, Pride, Incorporated partnered with the St. Louis District Corps of Engineers to lead a cleanup campaign focused on the Alton Lake area of the Mississippi River. The effort stretched across both banks, Illinois and Missouri, because the river doesn’t recognize borders, and neither does the responsibility to take care of it.

At the time, Joe Stark, Chairman of Pride’s Alton Lake Committee, made a simple request of boat owners: carry litter bags and use them while out on the water. His message was direct and practical, aimed at stopping the problem before it started. He put it this way: don’t toss anything overboard, because the bottom of the lake isn’t a place to hide our trash.

The lesson still holds. Pride looks better and feels better when people treat public spaces the same way they treat their own front yard. The riverbanks, the roadside, the park entrance, the neighborhood corner lot, they all send a message about who we are.

As we mark this milestone year, Pride Beautification continues to stand behind the spirit of Joe Stark’s words, whether the cleanup is happening along the water or in our neighborhoods. The work has always been about protecting the places we share and keeping our communities welcoming for the next person who comes along.

If you want to be part of that effort, volunteer with Pride Beautification for an upcoming cleanup or project. Donations also help us provide supplies, coordinate efforts, and keep this work going throughout the year.

Photo credit of Alton Lake area

Pride is powered by neighbors who care about how our communities look and feel. If you’d like to be part of the effort, volunteer with us or make a one-time donation to support our projects.

Volunteer: https://prideincorporated.org/#section-oMm5JmSSJM
Donate: https://prideincorporated.org/one-time-donation
Membership: https://prideincorporated.org/membership