Eco-Focused Nonprofit Teams up with Lake Lanier Association at Gwinnett Park for Community Cleanup Event on September 24
Lawrenceville, Ga. – September 15, 2016 – Environmentally-focused, community-based Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful is currently seeking lake lovers, concerned citizens and environmental stewards to volunteer for the 2016 Lake Lanier Shore Sweep. Created and organized by Lake Lanier Association, Inc., the lake-wide event relies upon the hard work and dedication of hundreds of volunteers to pick up litter along the shoreline that surrounds the popular 38,000 surface acre lake in Northeast Georgia that plays host to more than 7.5 million visitors each year. Scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 24 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Gwinnett County “leg” of the Shore Sweep will be located at Gwinnett Park at 1500 Buford Dam Road in Buford.
“As a long-time Gwinnettian myself, I understand how central to our community Lake Lanier has been since its inception in 1956,” said Schelly Marlatt, Executive Director for Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful. “Not only is it a recreational destination for millions of Georgians and regional travelers every year – proving a major boost to our local economy and tourism trade, but it’s also an invaluable source for fish and wildlife, flood control, hydroelectric power, and water supply for more than 4 million Georgians. From an ecological standpoint, we commend the ongoing efforts made by Lake Lanier Association and countless volunteers to protect Lake Lanier and its shoreline for the last three decades. By working together, we can all play a vital role in this area’s continued economic and environmental viability. For the 28th Annual Shore Sweep, we hope to gather a large group of individuals, corporate groups, local churches, high school green teams, neighborhood associations and other local organizations to enjoy the natural beauty of this Georgia treasure while making a positive impact on the community that surrounds it.”
On the day of the event, volunteers should report to Gwinnett Park to pick up trash bags and receive their shoreline litter pickup assignment. As thanks for participating in the Shore Sweep, all volunteers who turn in at least one full bag of trash will receive a T-shirt that they can wear with pride to let others know what a great environmental steward they are for both their lake and surrounding community. Everyone is encouraged to try and break the record set by Captain Rick Marton and his crew – who collected 9 TONS of trash during a previous Shore Sweep event. For safety reasons, volunteers must be 10 or older, and anyone under the age of 16 will need to be accompanied by an adult. All participants are required to wear close-toed shoes, long pants, and clothing that they will not mind getting wet and dirty. Gloves, trash bags, water and snacks will be provided.
In addition to the Gwinnett Park event, Lake Lanier Association will host shore sweeps at eleven other trash collection sites including War Hill Park in Dawson County, Bald Ridge and Port Royale Marinas in Forsyth County, and Aqualand Marina and Lake Lanier Islands Resort in Hall County, among others. For more information and a full listing of trash collection sites, please visit www.lakelanier.org/shore-sweep/.
About Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful: Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful Services, Inc. (GCB) is a Keep America Beautiful affiliate and award-winning 501(c)(3) charitable organization. It boasts an expansive community-based network dedicated to finding long-term solutions to environmental and quality of life issues through individual action. The organization is guided by a Citizens Advisory Board that represents all sectors of the Gwinnett County community. A nationally recognized leader in creating cleaner, greener and more livable communities throughout Gwinnett, GCB involves more than 100,000 volunteers annually to clean and restore public places, recycle more, protect watersheds and develop the next generation of environmental stewards. To learn more about Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful, please visit www.GwinnettCB.org.
About Lake Lanier Association, Inc: Founded in 1966, Lake Lanier Association (LLA) is the oldest volunteer group working to protect the high water quality as well as the Lake Lanier water level and to preserve its valuable legacy for future generations. Lake Lanier Association is a 501(c)(3) organization comprised of lake residents, individuals, families, businesses, boaters and fishermen dedicated to preserving the lake for future generations. Originally started as a group of homeowners, LLA has evolved and grown into a 4,500-member organization with a variety of programs supporting the mission of LLA to protect Lake Lanier and its watershed, ensuring a clean and full Lake Lanier that enhances the lake’s economic value to Georgia. For more information, please visit www.lakelanier.org.
