Volunteers Keep Folly Beach Clean With Labor Day Sweep
FOLLY BEACH, S.C. – While thousands of visitors flocked to Folly Beach for Labor Day celebrations, dozens of volunteers showed up with trash bags in hand to make sure the sand stayed clean and welcoming for everyone. The Surfrider Foundation’s Charleston chapter hosted its annual beach sweep Monday evening, reminding residents and tourists alike to leave only footprints behind.
Labor Day Sweep Brings Out Dozens of Volunteers
Around 40 volunteers gathered at the Folly Beach Pier at 6 p.m., joining organizers for one of the group’s largest clean-up events of the year. The Charleston chapter’s sweeps often collect as much as 200 pounds of trash in a single evening, according to organizers.
Beach sweep coordinator Luke Johnson said the timing of the cleanup was intentional.
“The holidays bring in large populations to the Lowcountry, especially the beaches,” Johnson explained. “We own a responsibility to this community to make sure that we leave it better than we found it.”
Protecting the Lowcountry’s Ecosystem
Johnson stressed that the goal is not just cleaning up after a busy holiday but also instilling responsibility in everyone who enjoys the coast.
“It’s a preservation of our ecosystem, preservation of our waters, a preservation of our way of life here in the Lowcountry,” he said. “It’s important to be a responsible tenant of the beach communities.”
The organization encourages visitors to take part by picking up trash during every trip to the beach, not just during official sweeps.
Open to All
Unlike some volunteer programs, the Folly Beach sweep does not require advance registration. Anyone who shows up is welcome to participate, and the event typically runs until 8 p.m.
The Surfrider Charleston chapter also hosts additional environmental events throughout the year, all aimed at protecting South Carolina’s coastline. Details about upcoming sweeps can be found on the Surfrider Charleston website.
Do you think more coastal towns in South Carolina should host regular clean-up events to protect their beaches, or should individual responsibility be the main solution? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
