COASTAL CLEANUP HELD SATURDAY

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN

By TAMMIE NASON of KWCB

Keep Wakulla County Beautiful participated in the 38th Annual International Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 16.
With the support of WastePro, Wakulla County and other sponsors, we had an outstanding turnout with hundreds of volunteers. Volunteers met at sites at Mashes Sands, Woolley Park, Bottoms Road, Shell Point, San Marcos de Apalache, and St. Marks Lighthouse. We also had divers that cleaned in the St. Marks River near the boat ramp.
This year we offered event T-shirts that had artwork by local artist Rachell Mathis.
KWCB and the 4-H Team CERT program had worked together on a litter campaign. The 4-H teens then worked with Rachell on eye-catching artwork for anti-litter signs that can be seen throughout the county. One of these designs is now the artwork for the event T-shirts.
In partnership with volunteer organizations and individuals around the globe, the International Coastal Cleanup engages people to remove trash from the world’s beaches and waterways. Thanks to volunteers around the world, the ICC has become a beacon of hope, leading and inspiring action in support of our ocean. Since its beginning, over 16 million volunteers have collected more than 340 million pounds of trash. Held in more than 100 countries around the world every September, the International Coastal Cleanup is the world’s largest effort to rid the ocean and waterways of plastics and marine debris and Keep Wakulla County Beautiful is proud to be among those participating.
After the cleanup, all the volunteers were invited to Woolley Park for lunch. Volunteers helped in grilling and serving hot dogs provided by Winn Dixie, in appreciation for their efforts. Beverages were supplied from Pepsi Refreshment Services and chips & cookies from KWCB through the sponsors. While lunch was being served, entertainment was provided by Kevin Andrew and Rockulla students and Chris “Cottonmouth” Perry. Several drawings were held with prizes from local merchants and the “Weigh Your Butts” cigarette litter prize was won by the Cub Pack 5 and 4H.
The cigarette litter collected will be retained and added to, then sent to Terracycle. Terracycle recycles them into useful objects including park benches and ash trays.
We also had an opportunity to show off our new supply trailer. It will be used to transport supplies to and from events and cleanups. The trailer features photos from local photographers of photos that show of some of Wakulla County’s beauty and wildlife. On the back is featuring some of our sponsors that are committed to helping us keep our community beautiful. The photos were submitted by local photographers and then judge online and by board members and other county residents. Photographers that have the images featured are Ashlee Barton, Justin Putnam, Patricia Collins, Mary DeGreef, Nicole Afyouni, Barbara Lollie, Tom Slade, Bob Strauss, & Degreta Corbin. The trailer also features the artwork from Rachell Mathis, that is on the t-shirts.
The cleanup yielded approximately 6 tons of trash including everything from the usual cigarette litter and single use plastics to an old camera, corded phone, vehicle parts, furniture, and an old pool liner. The trash collected was removed from shorelines, wooded areas, nearby streets, and in the water along the Wakulla County coastline.
We are very thankful at Keep Wakulla County Beautiful for our wonderful sponsors, KWCB board members and volunteers.  The 2023 KWCB board members are President Jim Davis, President Elect Steve Sanabria, Secretary Ethel Jefferson, Treasurer Marc Dickieson, Joe Morgan, Greg James, Lesley Cushman, Steve Cushman, Debbie Singletary, June Davis, Christina Sanabria. These members, sponsors and volunteers are the people that make these events possible and successful.