Photo: A Frozen Schroon Lake, Winter 2014

Both the Schroon Lake Association (SLA) and the East Shore Schroon Lake Association (ESSLA) have something to be very proud of: the number of hours volunteers from both associations have contributed to help secure matching grant money for various projects to protect and improve Schroon Lake.

Bill McGhie, ESSLA past president and current board member, says that in 2013 volunteers committed 1,477 hours (valued at @ $25 an hour for a total of $36,925) towards the $200,000 grant.

“We have every active volunteers throughout our organization,” Bill told Schroon Laker. “And for 2014 volunteers have contributed 158 hours so far.”

Added ESSLA President Jane Smith: “We have a very hands on lake steward program and dedicated members whose job it is to educate the public on invasive species. That has gone a long way to educate people being aware of the dangers of invasive species.

“I am proud of all of the ESSLA members who have volunteered to educate the public over the last three years at various crafts fairs and public events.

“Sometimes people just chuckle when they see us, but they come back and learn something.”

Over at SLA, they have equally impressive volunteer hours: more than 1100, (valued at $27,000) according to President  Mark Granger.

In a statement Mark said the SLA’s Steering Committee Representative Paul Conolly handed over 1100 volunteer hours to the storm water runoff project being managed by Warren County Soil and Water, the group responsible for collecting the hours for the grant.

“Our Board Members held educational programs, trained and supervised Lake Stewards scouted for milfoil and did scores of other things over the past 9 months” said Conolly

Like ESSLA, the work of SLA Board members was done to provide matching funds for the grant received from the state.