The 33rd annual Great Lake Allatoona Cleanup (GLAC) is Oct. 6. Last year, 3,100 volunteers participated in the one-day environmental event, managed by the Allatoona Lake Association. Each year, the GLAC is one the largest registered National Public Lands Day events in the country.
Several tons of trash, tires and debris are collected each year with the help of hundreds of Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. Shoreline pickup for the 2018 GLAC begins at 9 a.m. and lasts until noon. If you find something unusual, make sure to bring it to the picnic – every year, prizes are awarded for the most unusual items found during the event. A volunteer appreciation picnic will follow from noon-2 p.m. at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Riverside Day Use Area. Free food, educational expos, entertainment and prizes will be offered.
For anyone participating in the cleanup, camping is also available, on a first-come, first-served basis, at Old Highway 41 No. 3 Campground in Bartow County and Sweetwater Campground in Cherokee County. Gates open at 4 p.m. Friday and close at noon Sunday. You will not be able to check in early on Friday or stay later on Sunday. Only pre-registered campers on the GLAC registration website will be allowed to camp.
Go to www.greatallatoonacleanup.org to register for the Great Lake Allatoona Cleanup. If you plan on camping and attending the cleanup, make sure to register for the area you want to help clean and for the camping. Also, boat captains are being sought, if interested please register on the same site.
Want to do more throughout the year? The GLAC is now a year-round endeavor with zone captains and team leaders needed to help clean up areas around the lake. A new program called the Allatoona Lake Warriors began last winter and has gradually gained steam throughout the summer. If interested in volunteering for more than one day, go to the Allatoona Lake Warriors Facebook page.
For more information on the Great Lake Allatoona Cleanup, visit the Lake Allatoona Association page at www.lakealltoonaassoc.com.
– Christopher Purvis, the lead ranger at Lake Allatoona over Partnerships, Volunteers and Project Security.
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