 If you enjoy Lake Cumberland, then spend a few hours on Saturday, Sept. 16 volunteering during the 17th annual Friends of Lake Cumberland Cleanup.
By teaming up with other volunteers that day, you can make a big difference in the amount of trash on the lake’s shorelines. Since 1990, the annual cleanup has netted a total of 76,249 bags of trash and 12,401 tires.
The first 1,000 volunteers will receive a free T-shirt. All volunteers will enjoy a free picnic and be eligible for free door prizes. Cash prizes ranging from $50 to $500 will be awarded to the volunteers who bring in the most trash.
To volunteer, individuals and groups should check-in at one of seven designated sites by 9 a.m. local time. On the upper end of the lake, the check-in sites will be General Burnside Island State Park, Waitsboro Recreation Area, Omega Launching Ramp and Conley Bottom Resort. On the lower end, volunteers can check-in at Lake Cumberland State Park, Grider Hill Dock or in Jabez across from Alligator Dock #1.
At check-in, volunteers will receive free garbage bags and gloves. Boats will be available, if needed, to transport volunteers to cleanup sites.
By 2:30 p.m. local time, volunteers should return their filled garbage bags to the check-in sites.
At 3 p.m. local time, volunteer-appreciation picnics will begin at Burnside Island State Park and Lake Cumberland State Park. At the picnics, volunteers will draw for door prizes, such as camping equipment, sports gear and tools.
At each picnic, $1,650 in cash prizes will be awarded. $50 prizes will go to the volunteer or group that brings in the most tires and the most unusual piece of junk. The two small groups (less than 15 volunteers) that bring in the most trash will receive $100 and $50 prizes. Larger volunteer groups will compete for the following prizes for collecting the most trash:
- $500 for 1st Place.
- $400 for 2nd Place.
- $300 for 3rd Place.
- $200 for 4th Place.
The lake cleanup is coordinated by the nonprofit Friends of Lake Cumberland, known in the lake community as “the Friends.” Individuals and businesses support the lake cleanup by making monetary and in-kind donations to the Friends. The other sponsors of the lake cleanup are PRIDE, the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
For more information about the Friends of Lake Cumberland Cleanup, please call Nathaniel Brock, president of the Friends, at 606-679-3680 or visit www.kypride.org. Donations are still being accepted to support the event.
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