GICU More About Litter

This year’s Great Islands Cleanup proved that the bi-yearly event is about more than just picking up trash. Orcas had a strong turnout from our now-regular neighborhood teams who are picking up trash a week to 10 days before the actual GICU date, on days that may be more convenient for them. 

This year, one of our regular teams, the Westsound Posse, went above and beyond to do more than just pick up trash.

When Cheryl, one of the Westsound Posse volunteers, dropped off the litter she had gathered along her section of roadway, it contained the usual beer bottles and cans, some broken glass, cigarette butts, and other assorted items. But she also found a cell phone. The phone was in rough shape – deeply scratched with a cracked screen and a dead battery.

It was given to a techy islander, Tony, with the hopes he might be able to salvage some parts out of it. Tony managed to get it charged and the screen came up with a message: “This phone is lost, tap here to call”. So he tapped the button and the phone called the wife of the person who’d lost the phone. They’d been visiting Orcas from Southern California and lost the phone on an extended bike ride – they didn’t think they’d ever see it again. Elated, they sent Tony a prepaid FedEx envelope and soon had their phone and all its contents back.

Our volunteers are the best! Thanks to everyone involved in this happy reunion!

Orcas Fall 2026 Results

Garbage: 570 lbs

Recyclables: 100 lbs

Volunteers: 69

Road miles covered: 73.5

Beach miles: 1.5