Organizers of Arroyo Cleanup hope to exceed last year's big turnout

FILE PHOTO PITCHING IN- Volunteers Lindsey Goodwin and Corrine Mansfield help out during last year's Neighborhood Councilsponsored Arroyo Cleanup. This year's is planned for April 16.

Simi Valley's Neighborhood Councils are looking for community volunteers to help with the sixth annual Arroyo Cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 26 at the Arroyo Simi on Tapo Canyon Road.

Volunteer check-in will be at The Shopper Inc. parking lot, 3987 Heritage Oak Court, Simi Valley.

Participants should wear work clothes, sturdy shoes or rubber boots, and bring digging tools, gloves and hats.

A release of liability waiver is required for all participants. Minors under age 19 must have a parent or legal guardian's signature to participate.

The event is a fairly strenuous physical activity and is not recommended for the very young or physically challenged.

Last year more than 250 volunteers removed more than three tons of trash from the arroyo.

Participants included teams from businesses, schools, civic organizations, churches and community groups.

The event is part of the Great American Cleanup, sponsored by Keep America Beautiful, the nation's largest annual community improvement program.

For more information or to request a waiver, call Mara Malch, Neighborhood Council coordinator, at (805) 583-6756.