Tucson Veterans Help Remove Tons of Trash From Alamo Wash

A group of eastside Tucson neighbors proved you're never too old to make a difference, even when the job gets too heavy to handle alone.

Charlie Allen and his fellow volunteers with Tucson Clean and Beautiful have been cleaning the Alamo Wash near Wilmot and Broadway every single day for over a month. Since adopting the mile-long stretch in December, they've hauled out more than 10,000 pounds of trash, shopping carts, and debris from illegal dumping.

But climbing 30-foot slopes while dragging mattresses and brush was becoming too much for the dedicated team of septuagenarians. Allen knew they needed help.

That's when Team Rubicon stepped in. The veteran-led disaster response organization sent more than a dozen volunteers to join the cleanup effort last weekend.

Craig Robinson, a Team Rubicon volunteer and Tucson-metro Administrator, says his team focused on the biggest, heaviest items while the community volunteers tackled smaller debris. The collaboration allowed both groups to work smarter and cover more ground.

The cleanup isn't just about aesthetics. Robinson points out that removing dry brush and trash from the wash reduces serious safety risks for nearby homes.

"If that burns, then it can shoot down through the wash and spread to homes," Robinson explained. The debris removal also helps prevent flooding during monsoon season.

Allen says Tucson's washes are hidden treasures running through the city center, but years of neglect have given them a bad reputation. He understands residents want city services to handle the problem, but he and his neighbors decided to take action themselves rather than wait.

The Ripple Effect

The partnership between longtime residents and veteran volunteers shows how different community groups can multiply their impact by working together. Allen's team brings daily dedication and local knowledge. Team Rubicon brings physical strength and disaster response experience.

While the Team Rubicon assistance is temporary, Robinson says they've lightened the load significantly and plan to return. The city will pick up and transport every truckload they filled.

The volunteers estimate they removed several tons of trash during the weekend effort alone. That's several tons less fuel for wildfires and obstacles to water flow during storms.

When neighbors care enough to show up every day for 34 days straight, help has a way of arriving.