Join the Broad River Alliance on Saturday, September 7, 2019 for the fourth annual "Sarah Sweep," a day-long event to help clean up the First Broad River. The event is held to honor the memory of Sarah Spencer, a former river enthusiast and volunteer, as well as William "Billy" Roberson, Lewis "B.J." Dobbins, and David "Davey" Roberts. Participants in the river cleanup will meet at the Double Shoals Cotton Mill at 199 Old Mill Road in Shelby, NC at 10 AM, and an afterparty will happen from 5 to 9 PM.
Sarah was 26-years-old when she died in a car crash on June 12, 2016 along with Billy, B.J. and Davey. Their friends decided to honor their memory by starting the Sarah Sweep.
"Sarah participated in her last official cleanup on my birthday as her gift to me," Sarah's mother, Judy Spencer, remembers. "I was told that she did a cleanup every time she was on the river. She always wanted to pick up just one item of trash until there was absolutely no more room in the kayak or canoe."
For the cleanup, participants should bring a boat, paddle, lifejacket, water, lunch, sunscreen, gloves, sturdy water shoes or sneakers (no flip-flops), and a dry change of clothes. There are extra kayaks available if they are reserved in advance.
After the cleanup, all are welcome to join the afterparty at the Double Shoals Cotton Mill from 5-9 PM for an evening of fabulous local music, the best grilled veggies and meats, and friendship and fun for all. There is a suggested $10 donation for the food and music to help raise funds for the Broad Riverkeeper program and the Double Shoals Mill.
Volunteers are still needed, and can sign up here:
https://mountaintrue.org/event/2019-sarah-sweep-and-broad-river-festival/
The Broad Riverkeeper program defends and advocates for fishable and swimmable water in the Broad River watershed. It is a program of MountainTrue, which works in 25 counties to champion resilient forests, clean waters and healthy communities in our region. To learn more: www.mountaintrue.org.
Submitted by Eliza Stokes