SAINT CLAIR - ATV riders did their part Saturday to clean up Reading Anthracite property in the Coal Creek Commerce Center.
Climbing a hill by Wal-Mart, Brian Dasch, 40, of Schuylkill Haven, picked up trash.
"If God didn't put it here, it's got to be picked up," he said.
He found garbage bags and beer bottles, among other items.
In all, 20 people - not all from Schuylkill County - cleaned up one mile of property along a street curb at the site.
Some came from King of Prussia, near Philadelphia, and Lebanon County to make sure people just see nature on the ground and not something else.
Volunteers worked from 9 to 11:30 a.m., the first cleanup held by ATV riders at the site said Bob Smith, Minersville, one of the two organizers for the event.
Several businesses in the center donated food, trash bags and gloves, said Dennis Felty, Valley View, another organizer.
Reading Anthracite donated the trash bin.
The idea started about six weeks ago after Richard Morgan, head of security, was contacted for Reading Anthracite. Brian Rich, the owner, then gave the OK, Josiah Felty, 19, of Pine Grove, said.
Several of the volunteers said they were working to help combat the negative perception that sometimes is said about ATV riders.
The idea was to pick a spot where they would be noticed by the public, he said.
"It portrays a good image back on the community. We're trying to look out for our own people and the land that we ride," Felty said.
Among litter like plastic bags, he found a 3-foot piece of pipe.
Felty said he rides at the site frequently.
A permit is needed to ride on Reading Anthracite property. A list of rules is available at www.readinganthracite.com.
The cleanup netted 14 tires and 64 42-gallon garbage bags of trash, Smith said.
Jeff and Carolyn Tobin, both 49, of Branchdale, said they were helping to combat the stereotype.
Carolyn is a grandmother and has three children and five grandchildren.
"We're good people," she said.
