Locals take part in a friendly competition to keep the Savannah River clean

AUGUSTA, GA / NORTH AUGUSTA, SC (WJBF) – Next time you step out on the Riverwalk in downtown Augusta, you might notice less trash. It will be the same across the river in North Augusta. This is because the city rulers are launching a friendly competition.
âThe real winner is both communities because the Savannah River is such a gem,â said North Augusta Mayor Briton Williams.
It’s another border battle, but this time it’s about keeping the community clean.
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“So, this is a competition called the mayor’s cup, so whatever city has the most volunteers, the other mayor has to present the mayor’s cup to that mayor at their council meeting,” said Mayor Williams.
For the first time, organizations like Keep Augusta Beautiful and Keep Aiken County Beautiful are participating in the first annual Border Bin.
âThe administrator’s office, the marshal’s office, we have community partners who are also here, what an amazing day to get out there and keep our city clean,â Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis said.
In North Augusta, nearly 100 volunteers came and for most of them it was more than just a friendly competition.
âWell the environment is not doing so well globally and everyone could do their part as well and that would actually help save us all,â said Jeffrey Moody.
Jeffrey Moody is in his final year of North Augusta High School and a member of the Beta club. Unlike most teens on a Saturday morning, he spends his day changing.
“I have nothing to do on Saturday, so I was like even though I don’t have the hours, because you have to get community service hours, but to me that’s not even about that “Moody said.
And Moody wasn’t the only beta club member there. He says he was surprised at how much garbage they found.
âI really don’t like it because it’s our community and if you participate in the community and use a public space you have to respect that space and clean up afterwards,â Moody said.
âIt’s a little sad to see people throwing trash in their own community,â said Catherine Newman, senior at North Augusta High School.
âThis is actually my second bag and my brothers are also cleaning the water,â said Nu Phi Beta member Marquis Jones.
“Yeah, I don’t like to see all the garbage, but I’m telling you what I like to see is all these volunteers”
All garbage picked up on Saturday and Friday will go to the landfill on the Gordon Highway. The two mayors hope to renew this competition next year.