Family inspires community cleanup with ‘Bat Trash Army’ in Bay City

A family in Bay City, Michigan, has sparked a community-wide movement to keep their city clean. What began as an 8-year-old boy’s simple act of picking up trash has blossomed into a 200-member group known as the Bat Trash Army. Co-founded by parents Courtney Casper and Liz Clare, the initiative was born after the family attended a music festival and were dismayed by the amount of litter left behind.

Reflecting on the festival experience, Casper remarked, “It started at the rock festival. When we saw piles of trash just everywhere, we knew we wanted to do better.” This realization led them to take action, with their son, Greysin, emerging as a driving force behind the movement. According to Clare, Greysin’s dedication to cleaning up has inspired many others to join the cause. At school, he goes above and beyond by picking up garbage on the playground before engaging in playtime.

The Bat Trash Army conducts regular clean-up sessions across Bay City, targeting areas like neighborhood streets, parks, and business districts. However, their efforts extend beyond garbage collection; members also provide donations, assist families in need, and actively participate in community events. Casper expressed pride in seeing the community come together to make a positive impact, highlighting the group’s commitment to improving their surroundings.

Clare emphasized that the message transcends simply picking up trash – it’s about fostering care and compassion within the community. She noted, “If we all just go one extra step, it doesn’t even have to be picking up trash. Just don’t throw it on the ground. Be kind to someone.” These values underpin the Bat Trash Army’s ethos and drive their mission to create a cleaner, kinder Bay City.

Recently, volunteers gathered near Bay City Central High School and McLaren Bay Region for a cleanup event, where they collected bags of litter and encouraged more involvement from the public. The group has scheduled their next clean-up session at DeFoe Park on October 24 from 5 to 6 p.m., welcoming all interested individuals to participate in their community-driven initiative.

Through their dedication and passion, the Bat Trash Army continues to inspire others to take action and contribute to the betterment of Bay City. Their commitment to environmental stewardship and community involvement serves as a shining example of the positive impact that a small group of dedicated individuals can have on their surroundings.