Sometimes, it is sparkling, shimmery and clear — but unfortunately, sometimes it is dark, murky and has debris floating in it.

Yes, it is water. I don’t know about you, but I really am not interested in swimming, boating and playing around in water that is polluted. I certainly don’t want to drink it.

Water — well, actually, clean, clear and healthy water — is something we take for granted every day. To have water we would want to drink, swim in and have for all the other uses for it, we have to protect our local waterways.

The health of our local creeks, streams and rivers, and even the ocean, is determined by the choices that we make every day. So this month, make a positive difference by volunteering Oct. 27 for the seventh annual Rivers Alive events in Liberty County. Rivers Alive is a statewide effort to preserve and protect our waterways. The events also are part of the international efforts of Ocean Conservancy.

In Liberty County, we hold our main Rivers Alive cleanup day on national Make a Difference Day. Rivers Alive in Liberty County is a registered event for this major volunteer drive.

At Rivers Alive, we can make a difference as volunteers by stopping litter in its tracks at more than 30 locations in our county. Trash that begins its life as litter in the west end of the county is just as devastating as trash tossed from a boat in the Intercoastal Waterway. We have cleanups throughout the county because our community is full of wetlands, creeks and streams. It is crucial to stop litter before it makes its journey downstream. Litter anywhere in our county threatens our community’s waters.

Our goal is to have more than 500 volunteers this year. We already have a number of groups registered with more than 400 volunteers at this point! Thanks to all the folks who have registered to volunteer, but we still need more. By donating just a few hours of your time Saturday, you can make a powerful difference where you live.

Oh, and don’t worry, I know that there is this little football rivalry game Oct. 27, too, but as I have promised my husband and many other rabid Georgia and Florida fans, we will make sure you are finished before the game.

We will have T-shirts for the first 500 registered volunteers; the shirts are going fast. We also will provide all the cleanup supplies, and SNF Chemtall will have a fabulous cook-out for volunteers after the cleanups at Riceboro Creek Park on Highway 17 South. We really appreciate Chemtall’s support because these cleanups would not be possible without them.

Plan to make a difference and contact us at Keep Liberty Beautiful. You can call 880-4888 or email klcb@coastalnow.net.