Chances are if you don’t know Robert Aanerud you at least know his work.  A seasoned employee, Aanerud has been happily serving the citizens of Fontana for the past 28 years.  He currently serves as a crew chief in the Public Works Department and helps with supply, repairs, and equipment replacement.

Robert also plays a huge role in the community as a member of the graffiti tag removal crew and as the volunteer coordinator for the highly popular park and community cleanup events.

Q:  Can you estimate how many graffiti tags your group sends to the Graffiti Tracker system before removal each week?

We average about 2,148 locations per week. 

Q:  One of your job details includes the monthly park clean up events.  What is the most rewarding part of this program?

To see the kids take pride in their city parks and enjoy being with their friends while making our parks and community look nicer.

Q: The Independent Sector, a nonprofit consortium provides an annual volunteer rate that agencies often use as a reference for reporting a dollar value for volunteer time.  The current amount for one hour of volunteer time is averaged by Independent Sector at $19.51. On average, how many volunteers do you have at each four hour event?

We are up from 2008.  Last year we had 79 volunteers per event, this year we average 132 people per clean up.  Just last month we surpassed the total number of volunteers from all of 2008.

Q:  What can citizens do to help keep their community clean?

They can come to the park cleanups, encourage the maintenance of residential properties and call the Graffiti hotline at (909) 350-4663 (GONE).

Q:  What is the strangest item you have found at a clean up? 

Tires and rubbish are usually the worst that we find.

Q:  What is the strangest thing that has ever happened with a volunteer group?

In 2006/2007 I had a cleanup at Southridge Park.  I was expecting between 30 and 40 people.  I had just enough tools to cover 50 to 60 people and 112 showed up!  We quickly reorganized and we made it work.

Q:  Your hobby is fishing.  Where is your favorite fishing spot?

For fresh water, I go to Hesperia Lake.  This year, between January and April I caught 7 fish over 7 lbs, the largest was 10.5 lbs.  My favorite place for Ocean Fishing is Helgren’s out of Oceanside.  The biggest fish I ever caught was a 318 lb. Halibut in Kodiak, Alaska last year.

Monthly cleanups are from 8 am to 12 pm at various locations.  Upcoming events will be at Jurupa Park on May 9, and Metrolink on May 23.  To find out more, please call (909) 350-6505.  If you spot graffiti, please call (909) 350-4663 (GONE).