Johnson Controls Team Braves Elements in Upriver Scrub
Famous track and field coach Bill Bowerman may have said it best: “There is no such thing as bad weather, just soft people.” Last Saturday a team of smiling Johnson Controls employees proved Bowerman right as they hiked and rafted through wind and rain to collect garbage at the 11th annual Upriver Scrub. At the Upriver Scrub, volunteers gather to pick up trash and debris along seven miles of the Spokane River from State Line to below Barker Road.
Terry Winzenburg led the ground crew and Wayne Benjamin led the water crew for the Johnson Controls team. Over the years, the two rafting enthusiasts have created a strong partnership with the river community through the company’s volunteer program, Blue Sky Involve. This program encourages employees to form volunteer groups and work with local non-profits. The partnering nonprofit receives a $1,000 grant towards a volunteer project.
Saturday marked Johnson Controls fourth consecutive year partnering with Northwest Whitewater Association (NWA) on the Upriver Scrub. This year the grant contributed to the new informational “Spokane River Water Trail” sign at Harvard Road. NWA helped install the sign at this year’s Upriver Scrub.
The Spokane River Forum thanks Johnson Controls for their continued support.