On June 17, 2018, more than 70 volunteers of the International WeLoveU Foundation joined forces with Bridgeport, Connecticut’s Park and Recreation Department to clean Seaside Park. Within Bridgeport—the largest and most historic city in the state—is the two and a half mile park bordering Bridgeport Harbor.

That is where volunteers throughout the state gathered to carry out a cleanup on Father’s Day. This volunteer service is part of WeLoveU’s Clean WORLD Movement—a worldwide effort to raise awareness of the importance of environmental protection in the face of climate change.

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City & State Leaders Support WeLoveU

To kick-start, Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim spoke briefly to thank WeLoveU for coming to Seaside Park. He also went on to call the volunteers heroes for protecting the environment.

“I’d like to thank everyone who is here for the Clean WORLD Movement from WeLoveU. All of you have come here to clean up Seaside Park, this beautiful, natural asset that serves so many fathers and families, especially today. Thank you for your commitment to the environment and our beautiful mother earth and for making our world a better place,” said Mayor Ganim.

Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim

Senator Richard Blumenthal, who has been serving in the U.S. Senate since 2011, also attended. Before volunteers started to clean, he presented the WeLoveU Foundation with a Certificate of Special Recognition.

He said, “Cleaning this beach is really great work. It’s so important to make sure the next generation can benefit from this wonderful natural resource. That’s why I’m presenting you (WeLoveU) a Certificate of Special Recognition from the Senate of the United States. Thank you for the great work you did today and making this beach clean.”

Senator Richard Blumenthal

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Cleaning in the Historic Seaport City

Volunteers combed Seaside Park’s playgrounds, picnic areas, parking lots and seashore. To their surprise, they discovered debris hidden along the harbor’s rocky shoreline like old tires, fencing and plywood, bottles and food wrappers.

To carry out the volunteer service safely, the Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Department equipped the group with supplies. All together, they collected approximately 40 bags of trash. The WeLoveU volunteers hope to not only provide a clean environment, but also an enjoyable park experience for all.

WeLoveU’s Chairwoman, Zahng Gil-jah, has led people around the world to become active volunteers to take action and do whatever we can to protect our environment. Especially as we continually see the effects of climate change become more serious. Through the areas of social and child welfare, disaster relief, and environmental cleanups, the Chairwoman’s example of giving love has spread from the east to the west and planted itself in more than 50 countries with more than 150,000 volunteers to inspire a healthy and hopeful future.

Learn more about WeLoveU’s Clean WORLD Movement.