Volunteers clean up trash and debris along Ohio River

CINCINNATI - Volunteers from across six states will gather along the Ohio riverbanks on Saturday to clean up trash and debris for the Ohio River Sweep 2012.

More than 21,000 volunteers from public organizations, civic groups, recreational clubs from six states will participate to collect 20,000 tons of garbage from the river and tributaries according to organizers with the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission.

"Not only is it a litter pick up but we want to raise awareness about this great natural resource. Millions of people get their drinking water from it," said Jeanne Ison, organizer. "It's a great recreational water land and major transportation artery so people really need to appreciate this river and come out and help us and to raise awareness of the river is a very positive thing."

The Ohio River Sweep includes the entire length of the river from its origin in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to its end in Cairo, Illinois.

The clean up begins at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 16. You can volunteer at Schmidt Field Boat Ramp on Eastern Avenue, Four Seasons Marina on Kellogg Avenue and Fernbank Park off River Road. For more information, click here.