Help pick up enormous amounts of trash from the Muskegon River during events

Jerry Carlson sits on top tons of trash collected from the Muskegon River on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017 in Grant. More than 300 volunteers helped remove hundreds of pounds of trash from the Muskegon River during the annual cleanup event. (Photo courtesy of Jerry Carlson)Contributed

MUSKEGON, MI – Volunteers can help clean up the Muskegon River this weekend, and throughout the month of August, for a chance to win kayaks, fishing gear and other prizes.

The Muskegon River Cleanup Company is joining forces this year with organizers of the annual Muskegon River Trash Bash and the Newaygo Conservation District, in an effort to combine resources to help protect the river and its surrounding tributaries.

Each year, volunteers collect enormous amounts of refuse from the river during cleanup events, including bottles, cans, tires, shoes, boat engines, fishing gear, clothing, and other trash. One ton of garbage was collected at last year’s Trash Bash cleanup, said Sarah Himes, organizer of the Muskegon River Trash Bash.

“Without our volunteers that go out and clean up the Muskegon River, that river would just be continuously jam-packed full of trash,” Himes said.

RELATED: By the numbers: See what was hauled out of Muskegon River during annual cleanup

In the past, the Muskegon River Cleanup and the Trash Bash were separate events, both intended to clean up the river during varying periods of time in August, when the river is typically at its lowest. But this year, the two organizations are combining their efforts to give volunteers multiple chances to win prizes.

The conservancy groups received a $5,000 grant from the Michigan Clean Water Corps to fund the joint efforts.

Here’s what you need to know about when and where you can pitch in to help clean up the Muskegon River this month.

Muskegon River Cleanup: Saturday, Aug. 5

The one-day Muskegon River Cleanup is scheduled for Saturday at the Bridgeton Township Park boat launch, located at 5631 W. South River Drive. Registration is from 9 a.m. to noon, followed by a cleanup effort starting at the Bridgeton boat launch and ending 8 miles downriver at the Maple Island launch ramp.

Volunteers are encouraged to participate by bringing an inner tube, canoe, kayak, personal watercraft, boat or other means to travel down the river for the collaborative cleanup.

There will be hot dogs and hamburgers for participants at Maple Island after the cleanup, followed by a kayak raffle at 5 p.m.

Fifteen donated kayaks are being given away at the event, organizer Jerry Carlson told MLive/Muskegon Chronicle. To be eligible for a prize, participants must have registered at Bridgeton, participated in the cleanup and be present at the drawing.

The event’s Facebook page is available here.

Muskegon River Trash Bash: Aug. 1 through Aug. 31

The Muskegon River Trash Bash cleanup will take place throughout the month of August, allowing teams of volunteers to clean at the time and place of their choosing.

Teams leaders can register their team on the Trash Bash registration website, where they can select a location to be cleaned. A list of locations that are still up for grabs is available here. After each team is registered, each team member must register individually using their team name.

Once a team has completed their cleanup, they have to take a team photo as well as a photo of the garbage they collected. After properly disposing their garbage, they can submit the photos to be entered into the drawing for prizes, including fishing gear, camping gear, and “kids kits,” Himes said.

Trash Bash organizers will also be giving away prizes to registered volunteers at upcoming community events, including the Evart Environmental Education Expo on Aug. 19, and the Big Rapids Summer Fest on Aug. 26.

Last year, 38 teams of 280 volunteers participated in the monthlong Trash Bash cleanup, Himes said.

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Help pick up enormous amounts of trash from the Muskegon River during events