On Sunday, April 28, 2024, a team of 19 volunteers from the WeLoveU Foundation took on the task of cleaning Channelside Drive in Tampa, Florida. This road is located near two of Tampa’s major attractions — the Tampa Aquarium and the Amelia Arena, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team. Due to its proximity to these popular sites, Channelside Drive experiences a high volume of foot traffic and activity from the local trolley service, necessitating regular maintenance and care.
The cleanup initiative is part of a broader effort by the WeLoveU Foundation to maintain the beauty and cleanliness of Florida’s vibrant communities. The foundation has committed to adopting this road and conducting quarterly cleanups, demonstrating a sustained commitment to environmental stewardship. This effort is in line with the Clean WORLD Movement, spearheaded by WeLoveU’s Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah, which aims to spread a message of love and care for the global community.
During the cleanup, volunteers faced the challenge of collecting various types of waste that had accumulated in the area. Items include confetti, glass bottles, aluminum cans, Styrofoam cups, and cigarette butts, all concealed within the bushes or nestled along the trolley tracks. Despite these challenges, the group managed to remove over a pound of litter per minute, summing up to about 78 pounds of trash collected in just 75 minutes.
The local community has shown great appreciation for these efforts. Passersby often approach the volunteers during their work to express their gratitude, specifically acknowledging the “blue shirts” of the WeLoveU volunteers. Their thanks highlight the positive impact of the cleanup on the local environment and community spirit.
In support of these vital efforts, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful has partnered with the WeLoveU Foundation, providing essential supplies such as gloves, bags, and vests to assist the volunteers. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to enhancing the landscape and fostering a cleaner, more inviting environment for residents and visitors alike.
Such initiatives are crucial for maintaining Florida’s aesthetic and ecological health, especially in cities like Tampa, where the local economy and community well-being are tightly linked to the cleanliness and attractiveness of its public spaces. Through these efforts, the WeLoveU Foundation not only beautifies the neighborhood but also instills a sense of pride and communal responsibility among Florida residents.
