The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Stockton Lake Project partnered with the Kansas City Frogman Dive Club to host the 16th Annual Stockton Lake Cleanup Event Saturday, September 8, 2012. This event was held in conjunction with Federal National Public Lands Day and Missouri Stream team.
A strong thunderstorm blew through the area Friday night prior to the lake cleanup toppling some trees along with one of the tents that we had set up for the event. Thankfully, Saturday dawned sunny and mild. The volunteers were able to enjoy some of the best weather that we have had over the past 16 years.
A total of 218 volunteers were present to complete shoreline litter pickup to the tune of almost 300 bags of trash, numerous tires, barrels and other items too large to fit in bags – an excess of 3,800 pounds of trash from our public lands. What an accomplishment! We also had volunteer divers on hand to conduct underwater cleanup at some of our beaches. Their efforts help to insure a safer recreating environment for all of us to experience and appreciate.
The Kansas City Frogman Dive Club led by Dave and Patty Camp joined forces with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to help sponsor and coordinate the lake cleanup event this year. Their enthusiasm and dedication is a huge asset to this project and we are very proud to have their support not only this year, but hopefully, for years to come. Over the years we have many groups that have been with us year-after-year and the Kansas City Frogman Dive Club fits into that category. They have participated every single year. In fact, one of their members, Diane Sanders, was the one who contacted us sixteen years ago to help her with a lake cleanup effort. At that time we were affiliated with the Ocean Conservancy’s Inter-coastal cleanup. So I guess what goes around comes around. They inspired us to keep this event going and are now helping us to continue the legacy.
We, the community as a whole, should be so proud of all the groups that volunteer their services each and every year – rain or shine – to do this great service. What a better place we have as a result of their efforts. Given that, we would like to recognize the following groups that participated: Agape Boarding School, Buffalo High School Science Club, Good Samaritan’s Boys Ranch, Stockton Schools FFA, FTA, NHA and STEP, various troops of Boy Scouts & Cub Scouts, Stockton Seekers 4H club, the American Legion, Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Stream Team, Stockton State Park – Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Bolivar Schools AFJ ROTC, STIC – Stockton Trails Initiative Coalition, Stockton Area Chamber of Commerce, the Kansas City Frogman Dive Club, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and many individuals from the lake area.
Lunch was provided by the Stockton Area Chamber of Commerce and additional sponsors. Staff from the Cedar County Republican were kind enough to cook for us again as they have each year. Musical entertainment was provided by The Local Folk – Doug Roller, David Hacker and Tim DeClue all from the Bolivar area. Drawings for prizes that had been donated by area merchants, merchants from as far away as Kansas City, and individuals closed out the event.
We would like to extend a big thank you to all of the sponsors that contributed gift items, food or other means of support of this event. Sponsors include: Woods Supermarket, Bolivar Coca-Cola Dr. Pepper Bottling Company, Sonic Drive In, Wal-Mart, Woody’s Fast Stop, Orleans Trail Marina and Restaurant, State Park Marina, Mutton Creek Marina, Stockton MFA, Stockton Area Chamber of Commerce, the Cedar County Republican, Sac River Building Supply, Hot Spot, Casey’s General Store, Westside Marine, Creative Notions, Hammons Emporium, Stockton Clipper, A Nature’s Garden, Extremes, Divine Images, Sundae’s Drive In, The Boat House, the Country Corner Café, Enrique’s Mexican Grill, Squeeze In, Bongo’s Bistro, Stone Creek Lodge, the Stockton United Methodist Church, Cedar County Health Care Fitness Center, Happy O’s Resort, Sears of Stockton, Rovenstine’s Nursery, Missouri Stream Team, the Missouri Department of Conservation, The Local Folk, the Playground Dive Shop of Blue Springs, MO, Bill and Pearl Forsyth, Dave and Patty Camp, and Diane Sanders. Without the generous support of the contributing businesses and individuals this event would not be what it is and their support is greatly appreciated.
The event is always the second Saturday in September. We look forward to seeing you all at the next Stockton Lake Cleanup!