Tybee Island Beach Sweep: Volunteers Clean Up Litter

Thousands of visitors flocked to Tybee Island to enjoy the beach this summer, whether it was to soak up the sun, enjoy the surf or the nights of free concerts and fireworks.  Many, however, forgot to take something with them when they went home though; their trash.

Today, volunteers pitched in to keep Tybee beautiful.

Even our littlest neighbors are doing their part to lend a helping hand in keeping Tybee Island beautiful.  Six-year old, Brielle, and 3-year old, Marissa Farnen are here with their parents, Matt and Lisa.

“I feel that whatever community that we go to that we’re stationed in that we should give back to the community.  It’s sort of a way of saying you to taking care of us in the Coast Guard,” says Lisa Farnen, she and her family represent 3 groups.  Her husband is based at the Coast Guard Air Station at HAAF.  She’s also representing the Girl Scouts and the family belongs to Wilmington Island First United Methodist Church.

Lisa also says that as a Christian, it’s good stewardship to take care of the earth and giving back is also part of the Girl Scout way.

That’s why Girl Scouts from May Howard Elementary are out on Tybee today.  They know how important their task is.

“It’s important so that like the beach trash doesn’t get in the ocean and animals eat it and get caught into it,” says 10-year old Savannah Patenaude from Girl Scout Troop 30053.

And so bare footed beach goers don’t get hurt.

“I’ve picked up a fish hook, a bunch of wire and some glass besides tons of cigarette butts. And you know the thought of my child running through the beach trying to have a good time and stepping on some glass or getting you know tetnis wire in their foot scares me,“ continues Lisa.

Many of the volunteers out on Tybee today are picking up smaller items like cigarette butts, straws and bottle tops.  They say if you’re a smoker and you came out here and picked up cigarette butts for just an hour, it would make you change your ways and think twice about using the beach as your ashtray.

“It’s just something nice to do, it makes our world a better place,“ adds Savannah.

Beach Sweep coordinator and teacher, Kathryn Williams, says as an educator this is a dream come true because it’s hands on learning experience.

“You just have to be very aware of what you bring to the beach.  If you’re sitting down, enjoying a book or the sunset, don’t let that wrapper blow away or that can roll away.  Make sure that you truly leave only your footprints when you leave the beach,“ explains Kathryn Williams, Tybee Island Beautification Beach Sweep Coordinator and litter committee chair.

The Tybee Beautification Association hosts beach sweeps three times a year; in September, April and the day after the 4th of July fireworks.

Today they had a record turn-out: 701 volunteers.

If you don’t remember to take garbage bags with you to the beach, they’re supplied at each crossover.  You’ll also find trash and recycling cans at the same place.

Coming up tonight on News 3 at 11, today’s volunteers have a request for beach goers.