Left to right: Melinda Watson (TVA representative on KTNRB Board), Veronica O’Hearn (ORPS board), Jack O’Hearn (ORPS Board member and now KTNRB Board member), and Kathleen Gibi (KTNRB Executive Director) at the check presentation of OPRS’ $79,200 donation to KTNRB just before KTNRB crews took volunteers out on a cleanup of Melton Hill Lake.

On Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, representatives from the Oak Ridge Power Squadron presented Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful (KTNRB) with a $79,200 check. The donation was the largest that the river cleanup nonprofit has received to date.

“We’re grateful to the Oak Ridge Power Squadron for their commitment to protecting Melton Hill Lake over the years and for the long-lasting impact that their donated dollars will make on the entire seven-state Tennessee River watershed,” said Kathleen Gibi, Executive Director for the river cleanup nonprofit that launched its first work boat in 2019.

The Oak Ridge Power Squadron (ORPS) incorporated in 1947 and was the first inland Power Squadron. The original charter was presented March 10, 1947 by the late Captain Hyman Rickover who later became known as the ‘Father of the U.S. Navy Nuclear Program’ and a four-star admiral.

ORPS is a non-profit educational organization and part of a unit of District 17 of the U.S. Power Squadron now America's Boating Club. The squadron’s mission is to improve maritime safety and enjoyability through classes in seamanship, navigation and other related subjects.

Through the years the Squadron was able to obtain property for meetings, community events and classes. Upon liquidation, the squadron had an opportunity to become philanthropic and align its mission with Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful.

“Between the two entities our hope is to continue safe boating, education and enjoyment of the precious Tennessee River for future generations,” said Jack O’Hearn, a long-time ORPS board member and one of the newest members on the KTNRB Board of Directors.

Immediately following the check presentation, local volunteers boarded KTNRB’s two 26-foot aluminum work boats to participate in a Melton Hill Lake cleanup as the kickoff event of KTNRB’s 2024 river cleanup calendar. Ten volunteers went out on the cleanup and were able to remove 1,758 lbs. of trash in the cleanup.

Volunteers celebrate a full boat of trash they collected on Melton Hill Lake at a cleanup held following the check presentation ceremony.

There’s a new goal for the nonprofit to remove 200,000 lbs. of trash from local waterways this year. In 2023, KTNRB helped to rally nearly 1,000 volunteers to remove over 218,000 lbs. of trash from the Tennessee River watershed.

“We are so grateful to the Oak Ridge Power Squadron for its decades of educational support and sharing its passion of our beloved waters,” said Mark Huber, KTNRB Board President. “Let's draw inspiration from the Oak Ridge Power Squadron’s ageless devotion as we write the next chapter in the Tennessee River's story.”

For more information about Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful or to learn how you can get involved, visit www.KeepTNRiverBeautiful.org.