300 Melaleuca Employees Help Breathe New Life into River Walk

Roughly 300 Melaleuca Team Members rolled up their sleeves and converged on the banks of the Snake River near downtown Idaho Falls, Idaho, to breathe new life into the city’s River Walk. After a few hours of work, the volunteers had accomplished the largest service project in the city’s history.

Covering two-and-a-half miles on both sides of the Snake River, the service project included pruning overgrowth, picking up debris and working on other kinds of landscaping. East Idaho News reported that Melaleuca teamed up with the City of Idaho Falls and the Parks and Recreation department to tackle the task of beautifying the banks of the Snake River.

“Revitalizing the Idaho Falls River Walk was a rewarding service project for our Melaleuca Team Members, who gladly participated in the work because of its significance to our community,” said Melaleuca CEO Jerry Felton. “Not only did this volunteer effort bring our Team Members closer together in the spirit of service, but it also enhances the lives of thousands of visitors who frequently get out in nature to enjoy this beautiful resource.”

The City of Idaho Falls was impressed by the enthusiasm and productivity of Melaleuca’s Team Members, helping them accomplish a task that has been on their to-do list for several years.

Melaleuca Employees Volunteer Over 1,000 Hours

“They did about 1,020 hours’ worth of work,” said Renee Buchan, volunteer coordinator for Idaho Falls’ Parks & Recreation department.

Even days after the volunteers left, dump trucks and trailers were still hauling off the debris. Over 40 dump trailers of debris were filled. 

“It was great to see the excitement and energy from everyone, including our partners with the City of Idaho Falls and the Parks and Recreation Department,” said Melaleuca Vice President of Human Resources Jamie Reynolds. “Our Team Members appreciated the opportunity to volunteer during the workday, and they came ready to work just as passionately as they do within our own facilities.”

The city had intended to clear out the overgrown willows and debris from the riverside for years but never had sufficient resources to do so. City employees were taken from their regular duties during the Melaleuca service project to drive dump trucks and run chainsaws.

Melaleuca has long been involved in the Idaho Falls community and has contributed to projects for the River Walk. Melaleuca and its Team Members have been some of the most prominent financial supporters of the Idaho Falls Rotary Club, which has funded River Walk projects over decades.