Tennessee River Rescue is celebrating its 25th year of bringing together community members to clean up the banks of the Tennessee River and its tributaries. This year’s event is being held Saturday, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Volunteers are needed at 23 different sites in Bradley, Hamilton, Rhea and Marion counties.
TVA has supported the Tennessee River Rescue since its inception by providing bags, gloves and other supplies along with employee volunteers who serve as zone captains. “Twenty-five years of dedicated work to help take care of the streams and rivers is an amazing accomplishment,” said Rebecca Tolene, TVA’s vice president of Natural Resources. “Grassroots efforts such as Tennessee River Rescue help fulfill TVA’s stewardship mission and we are proud to support their efforts.”
The event has grown each year, with hundreds of volunteers coming together to pick up trash and litter. Organizers expect nearly 1,000 volunteers for this year’s event.
“The Tennessee River Rescue event serves as an educational opportunity as well as a clean-up project,” said Nancy Brice, co-coordinator of Tennessee River Rescue. “Children, young adults, and other participants work hard during the clean-up event and they often become great advocates for our community to speak out against littering.”
Volunteers will receive a free t-shirt while supplies last. Check out the Tennessee River Rescue Facebook and web pages (http://www.tennesseeriverrescue.org) for the list of clean-up sites and additional information, or call the Tennessee River Rescue Hotline 423 785-4177.