News and Events

Tobacco Free Partnership Participates in Annual International Coastal Cleanup
September 21, 2024

On Saturday, September 21, 2024 the Tobacco Free Partnership, the Dixie County SWAT Club and the Tobacco Free Florida Provider, partnered to participate in the International Coastal Cleanup at Shired Island, Horseshoe Beach, Florida. 

Nineteen miles south of Cross City, Shired Island Park comprises of just over three acres owned and operated by Dixie County. In 2023, Hurricane Idalia destroyed the camping grounds at Shired Island and the County blocked the beach area off to walking traffic only.  The Tobacco Free Partnership worked with Paul Gainey, the County Manager, to assure permission to conduct the beach clean up at Shired Island. 

Six volunteers from the Dixie County SWAT Club, the Tobacco Free Florida Provider and the Tobacco Free Partnership of Dixie County conducted the beach clean-up.  It was a beautiful day with several families enjoying the beach. The tide was out so that more of the shore was accessible for the clean-up.  After gathering six bags of garbage with plastic bottles, cans, left behind clothing, plastic bags and other littered items, they weighed the bags for a total of almost 50 lbs. of garbage. 

Last year, the Dixie County Commissioners adopted a Smoke-Free Parks and Beaches Ordinance that included Shired Island.  The SWAT youth were very excited to report that they did not find any cigarette butts or other litter or vape delivery devices on the beach.

The SWAT youth agreed that they will attend a County Commissioners meeting to share the outcome of this beach clean-up and to thank the commissioners for their support.