21st Annual FOLE Shoreline Cleanup

21st Annual FOLE Shoreline Cleanup

Over 100 volunteers gathered to support the 21st Annual FOLE Shoreline Cleanup, organized by Friends of Lake Eufaula (FOLE). The two-day event brought together community members and local organizations committed to preserving the beauty of Lake Eufaula.

On Friday, March 13th, Alabama Power Company, in coordination with the US Coast Guard, US Army Corps of Engineers, and FOLE members, worked to retrieve 15 loose dock floats that had washed ashore along the lake.

Saturday morning saw over 50 volunteers assembling at the US Coast Guard Station Eufaula, with an additional 45 volunteers launching their cleanup efforts from Thomas Mill Creek. FOLE President Brad Moore expressed his gratitude, noting, “We were incredibly fortunate to have a group of dedicated volunteers helping.” They collected over  5 tons of trash from our shoreline. While this accomplishment is notable, it serves as a reminder that still left are millions of tons of litter and plastic debris that our pollute waterways and endanger aquatic ecosystems and wildlife.

Participating groups included the Alabama Power Service Organization, TowBoatUS, Eufaula Water Works, St James Episcopal Church, Chattahoochee River Conservancy, Eufaula VFW Post 5850, the 4-H Club, the Alabama Marine Police, and numerous individuals. After a productive morning of collecting debris, volunteers enjoyed a well-deserved Phil’s B-B-Q lunch. To commemorate their efforts, each volunteer received a T-shirt featuring a beautiful lake sunset design by 8th grade AMMS student, Jimeria Robero. 

Fisher Nix earned the “Most Unusual Piece of Trash” award with his “flower bouquet “ trash and was awarded a gift certificate for a free paddle trip at Kayak Eufaula. 

FOLE extends heartfelt thanks to all volunteers and co-sponsors, including Alabama Power Company, the US Coast Guard, and the US Army Corps of Engineers. The success of this event underscores the power of community collaboration in protecting and preserving Lake Eufaula for future generations.