Issue link: https://alabamapower.uberflip.com/i/698823
toilet seat, which sparked a heated debate on how it got into the water. "The year of Hurricane Dennis was the largest haul with over 10 tons of trash removed from the lake, including a floating dock, which we hauled 2 miles down the lake," Jon said. "But the most unusual item we have found, in my opinion, was a water heater." Jon said at the cleanup this spring, the Lambert family collected 30 bags of trash, along with three chairs and several plastic buckets. The Lamberts were among more than 275 volunteers who pulled 2.9 tons of trash from Lake Jordan at the Renew Our Rivers cleanup on April 23. Since the first Jordan cleanup in 1991, homeowners and other volunteers have collected 67.9 tons of debris from the lake. "The Lamberts do an absolutely outstanding job," said Barbara Dreyer, volunteer coordinator, Lake Jordan Home Owners and Boat Owners Association. "I can always count on them. Whatever I need, they are ready to help." Since Alabama Power launched Renew Our Rivers with a few small community cleanups 17 years ago, about 100,000 volunteers have collected some 14 million tons of trash from waterways across the Southeast. This year, 32 cleanups are on tap. Volunteers have removed more than 35 tons of debris from lakes and rivers since January. The brothers call the lake their "second home." Chris said he especially treasures the hours he spent as a boy helping their grandfather, William Lambert, in his garden and anticipating the reward for hard work – cooling off in the nearby lake. "I can remember countless summer days, Easters, Thanksgivings, Christmases and Fourth of July holidays enjoying the lake," said Ken. "It's always a family reunion when I am lucky enough to visit." The Lamberts all said they are proud to do their part to preserve the lake's beauty and keep it clean. "God gave us this beautiful Earth and put us in charge of maintaining it," Chris said. "Whether we are simply picking up trash or talking to our lake neighbors and fishermen about what we are doing, it is important to set an example of keeping the lake clean. So many people benefit from the use of the lake in a variety of ways, so it is essential to keep it clean and safe for everyone to enjoy." 7 The Lamberts are a fixture at Renew Our Rivers cleanups on Lake Jordan.