FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Rob Ranieri, Keep Martin Beautiful, 781-1222

Volunteers Needed for Keep Martin Beautiful’s International Coastal Cleanup on September 19

STUART, FL –- Make a splash, remove trash from Martin County’s waterways during this year’s International Coastal Cleanup. Each year, more than 300,000 volunteers from over 90 nations throughout the world come together on the third Saturday in September to participate in the cleanup, sponsored by the Ocean Conservancy. Coordinated locally by Keep Martin Beautiful, this international litter and marine debris removal event will take place on Saturday, September 19, 2009.

Now in its 14th year, Keep Martin Beautiful’s Coastal Cleanup event increases public awareness about inappropriate waste management practices along our coasts. It has convinced many individuals, organizations, and communities to examine their policies and become better stewards of our environment. More than 1,500 volunteers representing over 30 different teams will be mobilizing to clean up shores, rivers, beaches and other waterways. Participating teams include civic and school groups, businesses, families, county and city personnel, and many other environmental and community activists.

“The tremendous volunteer participation in the International Coastal Cleanup is what makes the event such a success each year. The debris that is removed from our coastal environments could otherwise end up polluting our waterways, contaminating soil, damaging fragile marine ecosystems and endangering marine life,” explained Rhonda Irons, Keep Martin Beautiful president.

Keep Martin Beautiful, in partnership with the City of Stuart, is also hosting a volunteer and sponsor appreciation event at Flagler Park in downtown Stuart following the cleanup event on September 19. Attendees will enjoy refreshments and entertainment, including a bounce house for the kids and much more! For more information, visit www.keepmartinbeautiful.org or call 781-1222.

What Volunteers Need to Know

• The International Coastal Cleanup targets waterways throughout Martin County, from Lake Okeechobee to the Atlantic Ocean and everything in between.
• Pre-registration is required to ensure volunteers are assigned to areas most in need.
• There is a unique data gathering feature of this cleanup where every piece of debris and litter is recorded.
• Participants will be provided with cleanup supplies as well as a complimentary T-shirt (while supplies last).
• Volunteers should wear closed-toed shoes and bring work gloves.

Sponsorship Opportunities
KMB appreciates the many businesses that provide financial support to defray the costs associated with coordinating the participation in an international event. There are many ways to support the event, through financial sponsorships as well as in-kind donations of food, beverage and supplies for volunteers. Since the International Coastal Cleanup is such a highly visible event, sponsors enjoy extensive event publicity. For more information, contact Keep Martin Beautiful at 781-1222 or by email at info@keepmartinbeautiful.org.

Keep Martin Beautiful is a 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer-based, community action organization based in Martin County, Florida. Our mission is to provide sustainable solutions for volunteers to make a direct impact in their communities through their own individual actions. These efforts to reduce waste through public/private partnerships and strategic alliances motivate and encourage individuals and communities to clean up, beautify and improve their environment, while creating a safer and more livable Martin County. For more information, visit www.keepmartinbeautiful.org or call 781-1222.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -- About the International Coastal Cleanup

Fun Facts

• Last year, Keep Martin Beautiful volunteers collected:
  • 17,000 cigarette butts
  • 4,500 beverage containers
  • Most unusual items – a parachute and a wooden shoe
    
    
• This year is the 24th annual International Coastal Cleanup. From modest beginnings, the International Coastal Cleanup has grown into a major worldwide event, coordinated by the Ocean Conservancy.
  
  
• The Cleanup isn't just about picking up trash and debris. Cleanup volunteers also collect information about the items they find, and this data is given to The Ocean Conservancy. The Ocean Conservancy then compiles and studies the data in order to learn more about the global debris problem, educate the public, and find solutions.

Suggested Photo Caption: More than 1,800 volunteers participated in the 2008 International Coastal Cleanup in Martin County.

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