Great American Cleanup starts on the Upper Manatee River

Mark Stukey of Ray's Canoe Hideaway.  (Herald file photo)

EAST MANATEE — The Great American Cleanup on the Upper Manatee River  is set for 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 9. Volunteers with boats and canoes are needed to help in the river cleanup effort and to transport other participants and their collected trash.

Free boat launch and canoes courtesy of Ray’s Canoe Hideaway for those participating in the cleanup will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Volunteers meet at 9 a.m. at Ray’s Canoe Hideaway, 1289 Hagle Park Road on the north side of Upper Manatee River Road.

For directions, see www.rayscanoehideaway.com. Bring work gloves and a cooler, and the drinks will be supplied. For more information, call Mark and Laura Stukey at (941) 747-3909.

The Great American Cleanup continues 9 a.m. - noon April 16 as volunteers work countywide to clean, beautify and improve roadsides, shores, parks and neighborhoods in Manatee County. Information: visit keep@manateebeautiful.com or call (941) 795-8272.