Seeking assistance — Lake-loving couple takes SOLO route

DENVER — Save Our Lake Organization (SOLO) is heating up.
The non-profit organization, headed by Jim and Jill Feldmeyer, is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of Lake Norman and the endangered Catawba River.
“Somebody needed to do it,” Jill said. “I kept thinking surely somebody would do something about this lake, so I decided we would do something.”
The Catawba River is the 13th most endangered river in the nation. It has 50 species of fish, 160 species of birds and more than 120 categories of trees.
The organization began Sept. 1 and is looking for volunteers.
“We are huge environmentalists,” said Jill. “We always have been.”
The couple moved from California 10 years ago to Sherrills Ford and opened Fit Dimension, a healthclub in Denver.
They are very involved in fitness and the environment.
Jim said 15 years ago they were involved in an organization called Heal The Bay in Los Angeles and this sparked the interest to start SOLO in Denver.
Their first project will be Boaters Right to Know, which consists of letting boaters know of the sewer discharge in the lake. SOLO will assist in putting up signs around the lake in areas where sewer discharge stations are located.
Their next goal is to assist with helping birds, particularly the blue heron, and find a place for them to be protected.
“There is no place for these birds to go,” Jill said. “To me this bird is our bird of this lake.”
In order to help initiate the organization, T-shirts are being sold for $12 a piece. They are available at Queen’s Landing, Lake Norman Marina, Terrell Country Store, Dave’s Music Store and Fit Dimension.
Other products will be available soon including hats and drink bottles.
“We want to show how passionate we are,” Jim said. “The area is still booming and is crowded which leads to more waste. Although the lake is fairly clean we would like to keep it that way.”
The organization will have a booth set up at the Denver Days festival on Oct. 1 and 2.
The organization hopes to have a Web site up and running by the end of October. For more information or to help volunteer e-mail saveourlake@charter.net or call 704-724-2852. by Amy Wadsworth