On March 8th, The Outside Foundation hosted a Clean Up of the Broad Creek. Seventy-four volunteers participated in the event and collected over 400 pounds of trash, 98 percent of which was recycled. Most volunteers went out in kayaks, others chose to pick up trash by land or by power boat.

The event was made possible by a grant from Beaufort County Public Works’ “Keep America Beautiful” initiative. Atlantic Community Bank sponsored the event by providing clean up supplies and door prizes for volunteers. Publix Grocery Store provided snacks for volunteers. Local watersports company Outside Hilton Head provided free kayak rentals for volunteers.

Among the volunteers were 9 Marines, several members of the Whole Foods Market, Atlantic Community Bank and Outside Hilton Head teams, as well as volunteers from local non-profit Watercookies. The trash pulled out of the Broad Creek included a downed telephone pole, abandoned dingy, a pogo stick, assorted plastic tubing, part of a wheelbarrow and lots of fishing line.

The clean-up was the first of 2 planned for 2015 by The Outside Foundation. In 2014 the events collected over 500 pounds of trash and engaged over 200 volunteers.

“Thanks to all who volunteered at the Broad Creek clean-up. Each person has contributed to improving the health of our Creek. We look forward to hauling more trash out of the Creek this Fall “ said Jean Fruh, The Outside Foundation Executive Director.

The Outside Foundation is a local non-profit with a mission to get kids outside and to protect and preserve our local environment. The Foundation is dedicated to creating awareness, expanding knowledge, and developing a responsible understanding of nature and the environment. Ongoing projects of the Foundation include trash clean-ups by kayak, donation programs and the Kids in Kayaks program, which aims to get every 7th grader in Beaufort County out kayaking.