Dave Diester received the Adopt-the-Shoreline Outstanding Volunteer Award at the annual member recognition dinner, which serves as the official kickoff for the Spring Shoreline Cleanup. More than 120 people attended the March 13 dinner at the Tan-Tar-A Resort.
Each year, the award is given prior to the start of the spring cleanup. This is the 23rd consecutive year of the cleanup, which takes place March 15 through April 13. Since its inception, approximately 5.5 million pounds of trash and debris have been removed from along the shoreline of the Lake of the Ozarks.
Adopt-the-Shoreline is sponsored by Ameren Missouri, which provides administrative support, supplies trash bags, and pays for disposal. The cleanups are performed entirely by volunteers, who canvas 12 geographic zones along the Lake.
Alan Sullivan, who coordinates zone 1, said Diester was an obvious choice to receive the outstanding volunteer award.
“Dave has been a tremendous asset in zone 1,” Sullivan said. “He spearheads his own cleanup and assists other adopting groups in their efforts. Dave and the other Stanley Steemer volunteers have removed more than 62,000 pounds of trash and debris since they joined the program in 1996. He’s the kind of volunteer who always brings a smile to the cleanup and is willing to do whatever necessary to ensure that the event is a success.”
In addition, the Adopt-the-Shoreline Service Award was presented to volunteers who haven’t adopted sections of shoreline but instead participate annually with an adopting group. In zone 7, Mike Juranich was recognized for his support of the Pirates Point and K&T Guttering cleanups. In zone 11, Tim Fletcher was recognized for providing his pontoon for the Triplett Family cleanup.
“Hundreds of volunteers work annually to protect the Lake of the Ozarks shoreline, and they all deserve to be recognized,” said Bryan Vance, coordinator of Adopt-the-Shoreline. “Our annual recognition dinner enables us to do that, as well as kickoff the annual Spring Shoreline Cleanup by showing appreciation to our volunteers.”
Adopt-the-Shoreline began in 1994 with nine civic clubs adopting 89 miles of shoreline. Today, it includes more than 90 businesses, organizations and individual property owners, who have adopted more than 700 miles of shoreline between Bagnell Dam and Truman Dam.
Vance expects more than 600 volunteers, representing the majority of the Adopt-the-Shoreline member groups, to participate in this year’s event. He said additional participation and help are always welcome.
To participate in the cleanup or join Adopt-the-Shoreline, call the Adopt-the-Shoreline office at 1.573.365.9252.
###
Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than a century, and our electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. We serve 1.2 million electric and 127,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. Our service area covers 63 counties and 500 towns, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit AmerenMissouri.com.