Gainesville-based Lake Lanier Association is gearing up for its 24th annual Shore Sweep on Saturday.

The annual cleanup of Lanier’s 692-mile shoreline is set for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., with volunteers assembling at marinas and parks around the lake and at Lake Lanier Islands resort in South Hall.

“This is an important event because it gives our local community and Lake Lanier stakeholders ... an opportunity to step up and take care of a place that represents a tremendous value statement in the North Georgia region,” said Joanna Cloud, the LLA’s executive director.

Volunteers are asked to report to one of the locations to pick up trash bags and their assignment for where to gather trash. Those turning in at least one full bag of trash will receive a free T-shirt.

People don’t have to wait until Saturday to collect trash, with nine drop-off locations open until Friday evening around Lanier.

Plus, “we have several area merchants ... with work barges and tugboats helping to get some of the larger items,” Cloud said. “We’ve also had great support from volunteers in terms of scouting reports on areas (where) debris has been spotted and/or needs attention.

“Having those advance scouting reports really helps us make better use of the volunteers that show up on (Saturday).”

More than 1,000 volunteers are expected around the lake.

Last year, workers hauled away some 30 tons of debris.

“This year, my impression from advance reports is that we have a little bit less Styrofoam to get than in previous years, but more heavy wood and metal items to pull out,” Cloud said.