What does a chimney sweep do when there are no chimneys to sweep? In the mountain community of Wrightwood, the answer is surprisingly simple: he goes outside. With a dedication that extends far beyond his day job, Wayne Henopp trades in his soot brush for trash bags and spends the off-season giving back to the very nature that surrounds his town, one clean-up at a time.
Henopp, who has lived in Wrightwood since the 1980s, has always had a passion for keeping his community and the surrounding areas clean. While he has consistently taken time to tackle areas that needed cleaning, about three years ago, he decided to devote more of his time during the off-season to make a bigger impact. “I love Wrightwood,” Henopp continued, “I don’t do it because I feel responsible, I just do it because it needs to be done.”
During clean-ups, it is typical for Henopp to find fenders, tires, cans of paint, beer cans, and even antique bottles. In the winter season, with the big influx of snow players that come through, it is common to find broken sled pieces left behind, as well as an increase in trash. Some of the most unusual items that Henopp has come across include bags of lactose-free powdered milk, reams of paper, film production money, and even live baby chicks! In the case of the chicks, Henopp was able to get in contact with someone who came to their rescue.
From Hwy 2 up to the 135, around the community of Wrightwood, and even off the side of Inspiration Point with a rope tied to the guardrail, Henopp does what he can to make a difference and keep the natural beauty of Wrightwood thriving. “I’m just trying to save our little part of the world and keep it clean,” he expressed. While Henopp is not doing this for praise, he did note that when people see him out cleaning up, some will honk and others will stop and thank him for his efforts.
Henopp initially funded his cleanup efforts himself, but as his time dedication grew, the well-known and community-loved Mountain Hardware in Wrightwood stepped in as a major supporter, helping provide essential supplies. Henopp has also set up a Zelle and Venmo, both under [email protected], for anyone who would like to donate to the clean-up cause. All funds received are used to help with the endless supplies needed to continue the effort.
When asked what advice Henopp would give someone who wanted to start their own clean-up efforts, he shared, “Just do it, get yourself some bags and pick sticks and go out and clean!”
