Beach cleanup planned in Michigan City Monday

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. -- Community members are looking for volunteers to help clear trash from Washington Park Beach on Monday.

The cleanup will be happening this Monday, July 6, from 8 to 10 a.m. It is organized by the Monday Mornings! Beach Clean-Up group, who you can find on Facebook.

The group will provide grabbers, gloves, hand sanitizer, and buckets for the cleanup, so you do not need to bring anything. Additionally, parking is free during the event. Just tell the parking monitor that you are there for the cleanup.

Like the name suggests, every Monday, they gather to pick up beach trash. One organizer, Mike Kilbourne, says participants will practice social distancing, but can still socialize.

"It is really a great experience. We maintain social distance, but we are not socially distant. It is a good way to get out and make new friends. We enjoy the beach while we clean it!" says Kilbourne.

Nora Ryszka is in charge of the event. She wants to break a misconception about beach litter. Lots of trash can wash up from landfills, and isn't necessarily trash left behind from a fun day at the beach.

"The litter we pick up on the beach is a combination of people carelessly leaving behind their garbage, not disposing of cigarette butts and cigar tips, and lots of garbage washing up from the lake." Ryszka says. "Mike and I are trying to help people see that we are ALL responsible for the litter on the beach."

The group meets each Monday morning. You can contact them on their Facebook page for more questions and how to get involved.