Photo via bythecompassuk
So what's with all this buzz around the Overboard Clean Up?
22 Million pounds of trash and plastic enters the Great Lakes each year. This doesn't even include the countless amount that is littered around our inland lakes, rivers and streams. 2020 has been a year filled with uncertainty and conflict; however, conservation of our freshwater resources is something we can all agree on and unite for.
The #OverboardCleanUp is an invitation to do your part in protecting Michigan's freshwater resources.
It's a week-long cleanup effort that will last from August 23-30th.
If you love Michigan, then you understand what an amazing, unique and truly pure place this state is! Let's band together to keep it that way for generations to come. This is our home— if we don't protect it, then who will?
Photo via nonameman - Fotolia
As you may already know, Michigan Overboard donates 21% of sales profits from its branded apparel line towards a portfolio of Michigan non-profit organizations focused on natural resource and watershed conservation. Through the #OverboardCleanUp, Michigan Overboard created another way for all the passionate, eco-friendly Michigan-lovers out there to help make a difference in their own communities. Oh, and you can win some awesome prizes along the way!
These are the 3 steps for you to participate in the #OverboardCleanUp:
Act. Share. Celebrate.
Step 1: Act
During the week of August 23rd, get out to your favorite outdoor area (beach, trail, park, etc.) and spend at least 15 minutes cleaning up trash! Bring a trash bag and gloves and get to work. Do it with your friends, family or just go out solo and enjoy nature!
What if you're too busy and just can't get out during the week of the #OverboardCleanUp?
No worries! Use our secure dontation platform to donate a minimum of $5 that will go to our portfolio of Michigan non-profits fighting for freshwater conservation! Our secure Donorbox donation platform will allow you to easily contribute with Paypal or credit card. Although it's just a tiny donation amount, we feel that the combined actions of many thoughtful, caring and responsible individuals will compound into something sizable. 100% of donations from the #OverboardCleanUp will be donated among local non-profit organizations right here in Michigan that work to protect our natural resources and watersheds including West Michigan Environmental Action Council, Huron Pines, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council and The Watershed Center at Grand Traverse Bay.
Step 2: Share
Share your clean up experience on social media! Help us spread awareness, advocate for freshwater protection and become eligible to win some amazing prizes! Take photos/videos of your clean up efforts and then post them on your Instagram story or feed! Be sure to tag us (@michiganoverboard) and use our #OverboardCleanUp hashtag to be entered into the prize giveaway each day.
The cleanup effort lasts ALL WEEK, so that means we are giving away prizes EVERY DAY. If you go out and clean up all 7 days, you will be entered for a chance to win EACH DAY. How cool is that?
Here are our awesome daily prize sponsors!
Action Wake Park
Blackrocks Brewery
Blueberry Haven
Bonobo Winery
Boyne Mountain Resort
Leelanau Cellars
NoMI Sparkling Seltzer
In addition to the daily prizes, all participants throughout the week will be entered for a chance to win our grand prize:
A half-day pontoon boat rental for 10-12 people from a Tommy's location of your choice (Detroit, Grand Rapids or Walloon Lake). A $500 cash value!
Photo via Tommy's Grand Rapids
What about those who donate? After you made your decision to contribute towards the conservation of this beautiful state, encourage the others in your life to follow your lead!
Post a photo to your Instagram story or feed that reflects your passion for Michigan and showing/stating that you made a donation! You can screenshot your donation receipt, post a photo of you vibing at the beach, a video boating with family, etc. Anything! Don't have any pictures of yourself? No Problem! Just post a photo of your favorite Michigan beach, lake, river or waterfall. As long as you promote the #OverboardCleanUp and encourage others to participate/donate, you will be entered into the prize drawing!
REMEMBER: Before you share the photo to your story and/or feed...
- Tag some friends and challenge them to take action and participate in the challenge themselves.
- Use the #OverboardCleanUp hashtag to show your following that you're taking action to protect Michigan, and to display your post to our water-loving community. This is how we will see your post and enter you into the prize drawings!
- NOTE: If your account is "private" on Instagram, be sure to DM us your photos/videos so we can see it and get you entered for the prizes! We cannot see stories/posts from "private" accounts.
- Tag Michigan Overboard (@michiganoverboard) so others have somewhere to go to learn exactly how the cleanup effort works. The link to this article will be in our Instagram bio and the direct link to the donation page can be found here.
Still Confused? Check out our Instagram story throughout the week of the clean up for some real-life examples of what an #OverboardCleanUp post will look like from some of our amazing participants!
Step 3: Celebrate
After you shared that you participated in the #OverboardCleanUp, it's time to feel good about what you've done!
Not only did you make a direct impact with your personal donation, but your participation in the effort will have had a compounding effect by encouraging others to participate and spreading awareness. Imagine if three friends that saw your post go on to each challenge three more of their friends, and so on. At the end of it all, your participation in the #OverboardCleanUp brings limitless possibilities for the protection of Michigan's freshwater resources. BE PROUD OF THAT!
Questions? Email us: michiganoverboard@gmail.com
