GAINESVILLE - More than 1,000 volunteers, including hundreds of scouts, turned out on September 24 for the Lake Lanier Association's 17th annual Shore Sweep and collected 45 tons of trash, 20 tons more than last year, organizers said Monday.
"We are very pleased with the results of this year's event," said Jackie Joseph, the association's president. "All the counties around the lake helped with the disposal of Styrofoam which can be very hazardous to boaters when it breaks away from docks."
A few weeks before the event, the majority of the commercial dumpsters promised for the event were sent to the areas hit by Hurricane Katrina. Marinas around the lake then offered use of their dumpsters for Shore Sweep trash. At Clarks Bridge, the City of Gainesville's Department of Parks and Recreation provided a truck for trash.
"Martin Docks removed a total of twenty two tons of Styrofoam from Dawson and Hall county sites," said Joseph, "and Junk Express in Forsyth County removed ten tons of foam from Bald Ridge and Lan Mar Marinas."
Each volunteer received a T-shirt, and the scouts had a Shore Sweep 2005 patch to add to their uniforms. The volunteers were treated to an appreciation party at Lanier Park following the event with hot dogs and hamburgers provided by area Publix supermarkets. Each volunteer received a raffle ticket and the chance to win prizes donated by area businesses.
"We thank each volunteer, business and county that supported and contributed to Shore Sweep," said Joseph. "Its success was due to the community involvement and participation of all those who helped."
Other sponsors included the US Army Corps of Engineers, Eagle Point Landfill, Dawson County, Hall County, Gwinnett County, Forsyth County, the Marine Trade Association of Metro Atlanta, Norman's Landing and marinas on Lake Lanier.
Friday
May 23rd, 2025
6:05PM
