The Arkadelphia Lions Club made a donation to Keeping DeGray Lake Beautiful, a nonprofit organization that relies on volunteers and sponsorships to clean up shorelines and recreational areas at DeGray Lake.
KDLB president Russ Johnson spoke to the club Thursday, July 11. He’s been cleaning up the shorelines since 1987 and organized the nonprofit KDLB in 1999.
Each September, hundreds of volunteers gather for the one-day cleanup. In 2023, Johnson said, 394 volunteers spent a morning collecting 1.75 tons of trash in and around the lake. Of those volunteers, 110 were divers.
If nearly 2 tons of garbage seems like a lot, Johnson pointed out that the group has, in years past, collected as much as 4 tons.
Volunteers convene on 23 different recreational sites — Shouse Ford, Arlie Moore, Caddo Bend and Sunset Trail, just to name a few. Some even boat to islands to pick up trash.
After three hours of work, volunteers are treated to lunch provided by event sponsors.
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Contributions from sponsorships have helped KDLB erect beautification projects along Sunset Trail on the Lower Lake, including benches and a pier accessible from the trail.
With no ADA-compliant fishing pier on DeGray Lake, KDLB hopes to eventually build a 120-foot, handicap-accessible fishing pier near the Spillway boat ramp, Johnson said. With aid from sponsors, that could come a reality.
The Lions Club made a $150 donation to KDLB.
This year’s KDLB Cleanup Day is set for Sept. 21 from 9 a.m. until noon. Donations and sponsorships can be mailed to KDLB, 134 Iron Mountain Marina Dr., Arkadelphia, AR 71923. For more information on how to get involved either as a volunteer or as a sponsor, contact Johnson at 501-256-4262.
CLICK HERE to visit KDLB’s Facebook page.