Volunteer Spotlight: Jill Woodyard, Lake Erie, Ohio

Jill Woodyard, executive secretary and Coastweek co-coordinator, Ohio Lake Erie Commission, has been involved in Coastweek and the International Coastal Cleanup since 1992. As a part of a state agency, Woodyard's office has been assigned to Cleanups all these years, but organizing them is more than a routine assignment for Jill - her passion for the Cleanup rings through. "We're all about Lake Erie, our whole heart and soul is about promoting the betterment of Lake Erie and our Great Lakes," she said. "Still, we never lose sight of our connection with our ocean." She explains to volunteers that the five Great Lakes contain 20 percent of the world's fresh water, and that they are directly connected to waters around the world, including the ocean.

Some of her favorite memories from Cleanups throughout her 17 years include witnessing the first underwater cleanup in Put-in-Bay, Ohio, where more than 200 divers showed up. She said it was unique because it was the first time her local Cleanup went underwater, and it was neat to see what they found, including a wedding ring and a security box. "We had no idea how much stuff could be underwater," she said.

Another memory involves a husband/wife team who participate in a Cleanup every weekend. "That is their mindset, they don't just do it one time, they do it year-round. They make a difference," Jill said. But it's more than just husbands and wives; parents and children volunteer as well. The Cleanup teaches kids what they need to do to save their environment. One teaching tool that she could not live without are our Cleanup data cards, where volunteers record every piece of trash collected. This teaches kids what debris really is because it lists the specific items. People come excited to a Cleanup knowing they can teach their kids.

Just like for a wedding, Jill sends "save the date" cards to remind volunteers and the community about the Cleanup. For her, it's a way to get the excitement going. "Once everything is coordinated, the biggest joy I have is going out there and participating hands-on, because that's what it's all about. There's so much debris, we still have much more to do."