Thousands of people volunteer to protect the Great Lakes each year. Working with them truly inspires me.
Every day, they remind me that we’re part of something bigger – an amazing community that’s working together to protect the waters that give us life. And together, we’re caring for something bigger than us all – the amazing Great Lakes, the largest source of surface freshwater on our beautiful planet.
In honor of National Volunteer Week, I asked our volunteers to share a few words about why they volunteer. Take a minute to read what they said. I think they’ll inspire you!
If you’d like to join them, consider becoming an Alliance Ambassador, an Adopt-a-Beach Team Leader, or an Adopt-a-Beach volunteer.
If you’re already a volunteer, thank you for bringing your heart, your hands, and your time to protect the Great Lakes!
I’m driven by a passion for health and innovation to support cleaner, safer environments where people can truly thrive for generations to come. It’s crucial that we give back to the water that so generously sustains our community. ~ Allison, Cleveland, Ohio
One of the things that makes volunteering with the Alliance for the Great Lakes and their Adopt-a-Beach program is showing people how easy it is to work within your community for the betterment of your neighbors. Spending a few hours of a sunny day wandering around one of Chicago’s beautiful beaches, chatting with friends, and doing something nice for your neighborhood? It’s a great way to spend a day, a fun time with friends, and a meaningful impact on the place that you live. Facilitating that realization, that giving back can be winsome and substantial, is a really great gift and an honor to participate in. Seeing the reactions of attendees as we weigh bags and compare notes is a delight, and I will try to continue to host these events for as long as the Alliance will let me. ~ Andrew, Chicago, Illinois
Our motivation to start doing Adopt-a-Beach was for my brother who had just passed away. He loved the beach and spent all of his spare time there. He was always getting on those who visited with him to pack out everything they brought with them. Our family and friends gather in his memory to care for our entire beach including his special spot to make a bigger difference. His absence leaves a huge hole in our hearts, but we all feel his presence when the sun shines on our faces and toes are in the hot sand along the shores of Lake Superior. We love doing our beach clean-up and invite everyone to do their part. It’s a small effort in making a difference for our future. And as Bren would say, “Don’t forget to take our shoes off at the door!” ~ Ashley, Ontonagon, Michigan
When I volunteer with my students, they are able to see first-hand the consequences of all the disposables we use – especially plastic. Seeing all the waste on our beaches allows them to consider its impact on natural communities around us and on ourselves. They also learn that they can have a role in making things better, by reducing their own use, by taking part in cleanups, and even by advocating for environmentally-forward policies. They become more hopeful by learning that their actions make a difference! ~ Drea, Chicago, Illinois
My favorite quote/sentiment on volunteering, is from Denzel Washington: “The most selfish thing you can do is something for someone else”… At the end of the day, helping the lake and seeing the improvement you made so that everyone can enjoy it, makes you feel pretty good. ~ Eric, Pepperpike, Ohio
I volunteer for the Alliance for the Great Lakes Adopt-a-Beach cleanup because I believe in taking care of the natural spaces that give so much to our community. Living near Lake Michigan, it’s important to model environmental responsibility for my students and show them that small actions can make a big impact. I have participated with my school for the past 22 years, continuing a long-standing tradition at Pentwater Schools, andit’s something I am proud to be part of each year. ~ Erika, Hart, Michigan
Our beach cleanup days bring together multiple generations, united around a common interest in our lakeshore. Everyone has a good time, regardless of the weather and we can measure our contributions in a healthy competition with other communities. ~ Eugene, Bridgman, Michigan
I volunteered with Adopt-a-Beach because I care about our environment and all of the generations to come. The Great Lakes were a huge part of my childhood growing up in northern Michigan, and I have so many memories of spending time with friends and family, and decompressing on my own at the lakes/beach. It’s important to keep the beaches clean and safe for everyone! ~ Halley, Chicago, Illinois
The world is greater than the mistakes people have made. ~ Jack, Chicago, Illinois
I volunteer because, as a young person living in southeast Michigan, I have come to realize how important the health of the Great Lakes is to our communities and our future! Right across the Huron river, where I go to school, I see closely that our everyday lives are connected to the clean and thriving waterways. I hope more students can learn about the Great Lakes and grow to love the beautiful environment around them. Through my volunteering, I want to help bring other young people feel a stronger connection to the Great Lakes and inspire them to protect it. ~ Jihyun, Ypsilanti, Michigan
It takes a lot of work and many people to keep Presque Isle State Park beautiful. We rely on our Adopt-a-Beach volunteers to help make this possible. When people visit here, we want them to take back great memories and helping keep this park as pristine as possible helps ensure a good experience for all. ~ John, Erie, Pennsylvania
I volunteer to be a team leader for the Alliance for the Great Lakes because it will protect the health, beauty, and future of our communities. The Great Lakes are our essential natural resource and support system that supports our wildlife, provides recreation, and also connects our communities across the regions. Volunteering is a very rewarding way to give back! ~ June, Independence, Ohio
I volunteer because I believe it is our responsibility and our privilege to not just protect the Great Lakes, but to leave the world a better place than we found so that future generations can build upon our efforts. I volunteer because I believe each and every one of us can make a difference, every day. No matter the size of the impact, our efforts and good deeds ripple outward to improve the environment, help wildlife, and positively impact other people’s lives. Being active in the community and volunteering is about being a force for good. Won’t you join us? ~ Justin, Ashtabula, Ohio
I volunteer because I believe Lake Michigan is part of my DNA 😊 ~ Kathleen, Saugatuck, Michigan
Friends of the Manitowoc River Watershed’s vision is to connect people to the river in order to increase awareness of the river, its history and ecosystem, and show we care and wish to enhance the watershed. We do this to set an example for the citizens in our community. When we all pitch in we can make a giant difference. Since 2012 our volunteers have collected 9,399.81 lbs. of debris from the shores of Manitowoc River and Lake Michigan. We are very proud of our community and the efforts of the 3,034 volunteers over that timeframe. ~ Kim, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Learning about our world and the troubles with pollution of our beaches, streams and lakes, as well as the lack of care that our fellow people in our world care about what’s happening to our world. It concerns me enough that I want to participate even in small ways! I’ve always picked up garbage that other people discard, and the wildlife creatures consuming these plastics and garbage bothers me!! So I help! ~ Lorrie, Rochester, New York
There is no more important resource than those offered by nature. I try to be a steward of these, and in particular the Great Lakes, to pass this along to future stewards. ~ Mike, Fredonia, New York
I’m grateful to be part of the volunteer team protecting the Great Lakes. I want to show my appreciation for the gift of nature. I love water sports, and joining the Adopt-a-Beach cleanups each year reminds me to reduce plastic use and keep pollution out of the lakes. I also enjoy the Great Lakes educational events, where I can give back to the community and meet other volunteers who share the same goals. To me, volunteering and gaining hands-on experience is truly invaluable. ~ Novem, Lancaster, New York
The reason why I volunteer is because of Lion Carlos Godinez. We encourage new Lions to bring new service projects and the Adopt-a-Beach program is what he bought to the table. Lion Carlos Godinez passed away, but we’re keeping his dream alive. ~ Patrick, East Chicago, Indiana
My purpose is to clean the beaches for people to be safe, most importantly so the sea life is safe from toxic material and garbage that can harm them. ~ Peg, Richland, Michigan
I love the Great Lakes and I am very aware how much they protect their surrounding areas from catastrophic weather events. That is why I do what I can to protect them with beach cleanups, with writing to my legislators and donating monetarily. ~ Sarah, Lombard, Illinois
I grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan and have such a deep love for the Great Lakes. I volunteer to help protect our beautiful inland seas so that they can continue to be a source of joy and life for generations to come. ~ Sarah, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
I volunteer because I wanted to meet kind people who care about our lakes like I do. I was very inspired after coming back from Alaska where the land was so respected. I needed to pay that forward here. I also want to teach my daughter to appreciate the earth instead of polluting it. This way we have something fun to look forward to together every summer. ~ Semaja, Chicago, Illinois
The Great Lakes are critical for so many reasons. The lakes provide food and a home to mammals, birds, and fish and they provide drinking water, a place to run, swim and sail, and a beautiful setting to connect with nature. Importantly the lakes act as a thermal buffer making the surrounding areas more livable. The Great Lakes are truly one-of-a-kind and should be respected and protected, which is why I volunteer with the Alliance for the Great Lakes. ~ Simone, Chicago, Illinois
I volunteer because the Great Lakes are so important to so many people, animals and our ecosystems! Every piece of microplastic picked up makes a huge difference. ~ Steve, Cleveland, Ohio
Growing up in western lower Michigan in the 1960s, along with the other members of my Boy Scout troop, I shoveled up dead alewives off the beaches near Grand Haven. Even as a kid, at the time I thought, there has to be a better way. Now that I am retired, I have the opportunity, resources, and more experience to lend a hand as an Ambassador to promote AFGL’s strategies to prevent/remediate the effects of invasive species, pollution, and water basin depletion, and other threats to the Great Lakes. I’ve lived in the region my entire life and love it. ~ Steve, Grayslake, Illinois
The Great Lakes provide drinking water to millions of people, support diverse ecosystems, and sustain local economies through fishing, transportation, and recreation. Protecting them means protecting public health, wildlife, and future generations. Pollution, invasive species, and climate change threaten their health, and I believe it is our shared responsibility to make sure these waters are not contaminated. Participating to protecting the Great Lakes is not just environmental work but it is an investment in sustainability, community well-being, and long-term ecological balance. ~ Suhail, Shaker Heights, Ohio
Some of my best memories on my own, with friends, or with family have been at the lakefront. It is a beautiful place for family and friends to gather for a few minutes or an entire day. In Chicago, we’re fortunate to be able to access it bike (my favorite), on foot, or public transit. To this day, riding along the lakefront on my commute to/from work has always been a great way to enter a calmness and joy at the start and end of a day. I want for as many generations to come to have the same privilege I have and for that reason it is important to me that we all do our part to keep the Great Lakes clean and accessible to everyone. ~ Teresita, Chicago, Illinois
Our part of the country is truly blessed to share such a magnificent resource, and I’ve never taken it for granted. The health of our lake requires effort, and we can all play a role through cleanups, supporting legislation, and contributing to the work that AGL carries out year-round. I feel fortunate that Lake Michigan and its magic have always been woven into our family’s life. ~ Theresann, Coloma, Michigan
There is something powerful about coming together to care for the natural spaces we all share. Our most recent cleanup at Mentor Lagoons Beach represents more than the weight of the litter collected. It reflects commitment, teamwork, and respect for the beauty of our great lakes. Volunteerism connects us to nature in a hands-on way, reminding us that even small actions can protect wildlife, preserve clean water, and ensure that future generations can enjoy these shorelines just as we do today. ~ William, Northfield, Ohio