SHORELINES

32 a p c s hor e l i n e s.c om | 2016 Vol :3 Gorgas cleanups on the Mulberry Fork of the Black Warrior River. The father and daughter have always been close and shared a love of the outdoors. Their participation in the cleanups has further strengthened that bond and provided them with many memories. Ann Marie said it's especially satisfying to remove large items from the river. Over the years, she has helped pull out cast-iron patio chairs, tires and even a toddler's riding toy. During the cleanup on July 15, her crew pulled a mini fridge from the river and helped another boatload of volunteers who found a full-sized refrigerator still filled with food. Ann Marie and the other volunteers worked together to clean up the food that spilled from the refrigerator into the water. "I enjoy pulling out the stuff that is polluting the river," says Ann Marie. "When the river is clean, it boosts the economy and attracts people who don't live on the lakes." Ann Marie's deep appreciation for the environment comes from her father. "I've been blessed a lot," says Bill Smith. "I just want to give back, and I've tried to teach Ann Marie to do the same thing. She knows these rivers and lakes are just a gift to us. The good Lord tells us to be good stewards of all he has given us." Bill has also taught Ann Marie the importance of putting safety first, whether on the job, at home or during the Renew Our Rivers cleanups. "Safety is always a No. 1 priority when we're out there on the river," says Ann Marie. "On the rare occasion there is an item that is too heavy or stuck in the bank, we provide the location to the Renew Our Rivers coordinator who will take a boat with a crane out on the water and remove the item." Ann Marie says that before they head onto the lake, the volunteers always prepare for any possible hazards by taking part in a job safety briefing. They also gear up for a trip on the water by wearing life jackets, hats and sunglasses, and applying sunscreen and bug spray. The volunteers keep plenty of water and Gatorade on hand to prevent them from becoming dehydrated. Bill says taking part in the cleanups alongside his daughter has meant a great deal. "It has done two things," he says. "It taught Ann Marie a little bit about the industrial environment, and it gave her the opportunity to meet some of my co-workers and see what we do here at the plant. People take electricity for granted. They don't realize what we sacrifice so they can run their equipment." Although Bill was unable to take part in the Gorgas cleanup this year, Ann Marie was still on hand, helping volunteers remove a whopping 2,000 pounds from the river. She also joined her own co-workers on Aug. 26 for her first Plant Miller Renew Our Rivers cleanup on the Locust Fork on the Black Warrior River. Ann Marie treasures the hours spent helping her dad and the other volunteers during the river cleanups. "Seeing the smile it puts on my dad's face when I go out there and work beside him just puts a smile right back on my face," Ann Marie says. "SEEING THE SMILE IT PUTS ON MY DAD'S FACE WHEN I GO OUT THERE AND WORK BESIDE HIM JUST PUTS A SMILE RIGHT BACK ON MY FACE," A NN M A R IE S M I T H O N VO L UN T EER IN G W I T H HER FAT HER FO R R ENE W O UR R I V ER S CL E A NUP S. Left: Photo provided by ann Marie SMiTh — Bill and Ann Marie Smith attend a cleanup on the Mulberry Fork of the Black Warrior River.

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