Elk River Cleanup: 87 + 4 = 4,850!

After the snow and ice experienced in Limestone County recently, we at KALB were fearful that volunteers would be afraid to travel to West Limestone to help with the Elk River Cleanup scheduled for Saturday, March 7th.

Our fears were alleviated when the sun came out and 87 volunteers signed in prepared to work! We were amazed at the dedication of the men, women, and youth who all came for one purpose: to remove trash from the river and surrounding land.

Included in those 87 volunteers were 4 groups that joined the TEAM Challenge to see who could remove the most pounds of trash. Cash prizes sponsored by TVA were involved, and each team was out to win!

The LCTC Robotics Tea -The Rockets, Madison Baptist singles supported by We Chunk Junk, Girl Scouts Service Unit 11, and T.R.A.I.L. all registered for the challenge. Team members and individual volunteers worked hard and made a huge impact!

Event Statistics:
87 Registered Volunteers
4 TEAM Challenge Registrations
4,850 lbs. removed (8,800 lbs. in 2014)
3,340 lbs. taken to the landfill (7,800 lbs. in 2014)
1,510 lbs. were recycled (1,000 lbs. in 2014)

TEAM Challenge Results (teams received double credit for recyclables separated out)
1st Place – $250: Madison Baptist Singles and We Chunk Junk
2nd Place – $150: Girl Scouts Service Unit 11
3rd Place – $100: LCTC Robotics Team – The Rockets
Winner of “Guess the Weight” – $50: George Bekken

KALB is very grateful to TVA for their financial sponsorship and presence, including providing all cash awards, supplies, and a TVA boat. TVA funds also allowed KALB to provide a great BBQ lunch for all volunteers.

KALB appreciates Ben Harrison, Limestone County District 4 Commissioner, for helping with this event and for providing a trailer to help haul the trash to the Transfer Station. Ruby McCartney, Plant Manager of our recycling center, was also there with scales to weigh the trash and a truck to haul recyclables back to the center.

We encourage everyone who uses the Elk River for fishing, boating, hiking, or any other activity, to take a trash bag along and remove any floating debris or other trash you find along the riverbanks. If everyone does their part to remove trash and encourage others not to litter all year long, our river will be healthier and our burden of cleanup lighter.

We also encourage citizens to report acts of littering and illegal dumping in Athens and Limestone County.

Contact KALB for information on how to get involved with other projects and programs. We offer many opportunities throughout the year!
By: Lynne Hart