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The Telford Springs Clean-Up was a huge success! On Saturday, March 4th, between 70 - 100 volunteers, both Cave Divers and local members of the community, mobilized to clean up the Telford Springs area. The clean-up was organized by the National Association for Cave Diving, Springs Conservation Committee. The workers collected approximately 200 bags of garbage from the surrounding woods and from inside the springs. When measured the garbage mass totaled 5 cubic yards and weighed in at 3000 Lbs. Volunteers started to arrive as early as 9:30 even though the official start time wasnt scheduled to begin until 11:00. Some of the participants included cave diving students from as far away as France and Brazil. Other Cave Divers traveled in specifically to help with the clean-up from Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Washington DC and Ontario, Canada. Activities throughout the day included a picnic lunch and prizes for all of the volunteers. Hot dogs and chicken were supplied by Suwannee Packing Co. of Live Oak and the Snipes family of Luraville. Everyone who pitched in received a prize or two or three. There was a tie for the most unusual piece of garbage found, Judy Bauer and her dog Scully of Gainesville dug up the top half of a pair of dentures with a front tooth missing. Sandra Langston and Michael Poucher of Ocala found an unopened bottle of "Cave Creek Beer with the chili still intact next to a Rail Car Skinny CD. Diver related prizes were donated by local and national Diving Companies and Resorts. Almost every restaurant from the surrounding area supplied us with gift certificates for the hard working, dedicated volunteers. Other prizes were donated by Aardvark Video, Amate Salon, Celebrations Florist, Live Oak Bowling Center, Merle Norman Cosmetics, Photos In A Flash, Sally Beauty Supply, Suwannee Expeditions Canoe & Kayak and Video World. "I was overwhelmed with the outpouring of support from The local business communities of Live Oak, Mayo and Branford." Said Carol Berg the coordinator of the clean-up "All of the food supplies and prizes that we asked for were donated without any hesitation." On Monday following the clean-up the N.A.C.D. donated all the leftover food and beverages to the woman of Manna House in Mayo. This House is a haven for battered and abused woman and children. Even though Telford Springs is owned by a private individual the N.A.C.D. has stepped forward and has undertaken the expense of keeping the area clean. We have started a fund to help us with this effort. Within a few short hours we raised $ 186.31. If you have ever visited Telford and thought enough is enough! Now is your chance to do something about it. If everyone could contribute just a little bit, it would make a big difference. We need money to pay for garbage bags and garbage removal on a weekly basis. If you wish to donate money specifically to this project then please send your check to the N.A.C.D. and note "Telford Springs Fund" in the memo. I know with community support and a continued effort of the cave divers we can make a huge difference in a very short time." As a result of our efforts, Telford Springs is now a more beautiful, safer and healthier place to picnic, swim and dive. For more information about how you can contribute, please contact the N.A.C.D. at 888-565-NACD and Look for information regarding future clean-ups on our webb-site at WWW.SAFECAVEDIVING.COM
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