On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, an estimated 150 volunteers from across the White Lake area came together for the annual Trash Bash — a heartwarming community cleanup event that showcases the true spirit of White Lake.
The Trash Bash, first launched in 2016 by local residents Greg and Debi Hillebrand, has grown into a beloved tradition each April. Volunteers gather bags from the White Lake Area Chamber & Visitors Bureau, and the City of Whitehall donates a Department of Public Works (DPW) truck to assist with picking up larger debris. Trash is collected in the refuse container donated by Knight Transfer, but the event has always been about much more than just garbage — it’s about community, pride, and connection.
This year’s event, sponsored by Consumers Energy, kicked off at 1:00 p.m. at the Depot in Whitehall. Participants were encouraged to bring sunscreen, gloves, and hats, while the Chamber handed out trash bags and organized the cleanup plan. Special thanks to Walmart for donating trash bags and granola bars to fuel the volunteers, and to Knight Transfer for providing a refuse container to manage all the collected waste.
WaterDog Outfitters played a major role in supporting the effort by offering free kayak rentals to volunteers willing to clean up White Lake and the White River — helping ensure that even hard-to-reach areas of the waterways were tackled.
Hungry volunteers could fuel up before or after their hard work at The Gnarly Heifer’s Bullpen, stationed at WaterDog Outfitters during the event. The grill was sizzling with delicious burgers — a perfect treat for a day of hard work.
And the fun didn’t stop there. Jimmy’z Pub offered a special reward for Trash Bash participants 21 and up: anyone who dropped off a bag of trash at their alley-side dumpster received a ticket good for happy hour beverage pricing or a free side with the purchase of an entrée. Volunteers were also entered into a raffle to win over $100 in gift cards and prizes from generous local businesses including.
Throughout the afternoon, volunteers went all out — some wading through muddy waters, losing boots and socks, and getting thoroughly soaked and filthy. Yet every participant returned with a smile, proud of their efforts and grateful for the camaraderie.
One story captured the spirit of the day perfectly. Early in the event, a sign posted by The Gnarly Heifer’s Bullpen caught attention:
“Retrieve bucket from White Lake – Free Gnarly Burger!”
Image courtesy of The Gnarly Heifer
This wasn’t just any piece of trash — it was a 55-gallon drum, something locals had been staring at for a while. A gentleman named Josh, who happened to pass by, grabbed a kayak and paddled out to give it a shot.
Realizing he couldn’t wrestle the barrel out alone, Josh called over three nearby Whitehall High School students, who, without hesitation, jumped right into the cold water to help. Together, they managed to drag the barrel out of the lake — earning themselves free Gnarly Burgers and a memory they’ll likely never forget.
Sue, one of the first volunteers of the day, also made a huge impact. She ran home to gear up in mud boots and returned ready for action. While she didn’t snag the barrel, Sue pulled a mattress and multiple piles of trash out of the water — even losing a boot in the process. One muddy leg, one sock, and one big smile later, Sue was also treated to a hot burger for her incredible effort.
“Today wasn’t just about trash,” The Gnarly Heifer later shared. “It was about the power of showing up. About strangers becoming teammates. About how beautiful things happen when we all pitch in.”
It was a day full of teamwork, laughter, and pride in the White Lake community. Even solo volunteers who came alone quickly found groups to join, forging new friendships along the way.
“It’s one of my favorite events we do,” said Stephanie Ware, Executive Director of the White Lake Area Chamber. “Everyone is just happy to be here. Even the ones who come back covered in mud — they’re still smiling.”
As the day wrapped up, it was clear that Trash Bash isn’t just about cleaning up White Lake — it’s about lifting each other up and reminding everyone that even small actions, when done together, make a huge impact.
CatchMark Community Product Lead Amy Yonkman joined the CatchMark team in 2021 as an office assistant. She quickly became project manager for the Digital Marketing and Media service, and is now the CatchMark Community Product Lead. Amy’s background includes working in preschool classrooms, hospitality, and customer service.
