SUN PHOTO/TOM VAUGHT A large number of volunteers reported in to the Bradenton Beach station including several Girl Scout troops, like the ones shown above on the beach.

By Tom Vaught
sun staff writer

Cooler temperatures and sunny skies greeted volunteers for the annual Keep Manatee Beautiful Coastal Cleanup last Saturday.

They came from the mainland and from their Island homes and picked up trash from the bay, the Gulf, the roadsides and from under the water, according to Keep Manatee Beautiful Executive Director Ingrid McClellan.

As of Monday, not all cleanup stations had reported to her, but the figures from those that did were promising.

“Last year, we had 1,146 volunteers and this year, with 10 stations not reporting yet, we had 905, so I expect the final number to be higher than last year,” McClellan said. “As for the amount of trash removed, with 10 stations not yet reporting, we have 17,153 pounds compared to 24,572 pounds last year. I expect we’ll have at least the same amount this year.”

On the Island, Anna Maria had 25 volunteers bring in 302 pounds to the station at city hall.

McClellan said that Holmes Beach had 63 volunteers who brought in 1,267 pounds, not counting the Anna Maria Island Privateers, who turned out early but were late in reporting.

Bradenton Beach had a surprising strong turnout – 202 volunteers – many of them from Girl Scout and Brownie troops. They brought in 885 pounds.

Fifteen scuba divers who worked out of Sea Trek Divers in Bradenton Beach scoured Spanish Rocks and brought in 132 pounds of trash.