Volunteers Come Together Across Florida to Spruce Up Beaches and Parks for Earth Day
The natural world is extra special for Floridians. From our pristine beaches to our picturesque wetlands, the planet’s beauty abounds in the Sunshine State. To celebrate Earth Day, volunteers rallied across the peninsula – rolling up their sleeves to help beautify parks and to keep our shorelines clean. The nature enthusiasts with Team UP, Comcast’s always on volunteer program, enlisted help from family and friends to show up big at six cleanup projects this month.
In total, more than 75 volunteers helped transform two parks and four beaches in Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville Beach, Lehigh Acres, Palm Beach, St. Augustine and Tallahassee. By picking up trash and safely disposing of it, they didn’t just spruce up the place. They kept animals safe and the sites more accessible for their communities by ridding the locations of over 700 lbs. of harmful litter.
Shay Knights is a Technical Product Sales Supervisor for Comcast’s Florida Region. She’s been passionate about giving back since a young age. On April 19th, she joined other Comcast employees to volunteer at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in Fort Lauderdale. Knights said established companies like Comcast play a role in encouraging employees to get more involved in the areas they call home.
“I am so proud to work for a company that not only motivates us to be part of something bigger but also facilitates these opportunities for us,” Knights said. “I truly love seeing myself and my colleagues represent Comcast in so many different and unexpected ways. The teamwork, unity and energy are unmatched every time I volunteer, and this cleanup was no exception.”
Comcast partnered with local nonprofits Beaches Go Green, Friends of Palm Beach, Hands On Broward, Keep Lee County Beautiful and Keep Tallahassee Leon County Beautiful to make to make the cleanup events possible.
Diane Buhler is the founder and president of Friends of Palm Beach. She led the beach cleanup in Palm Beach County. She loved seeing so many people sign up for the morning cleanup.
“This is music to my ears because I know I have a lot of hands out here, committed to making a difference,” Buhler said. “This is the second beach cleanup that we’ve done with Comcast. You are all committed to making a difference. I encourage people to lend a hand. Every little piece makes a difference. Be like Comcast!”
The Palm Beach County volunteers included Jacques Alonzo and Toby Fielstra. Alonzo is the Xfinity store manager in Palm Beach Gardens. Fielstra is a talented Comcast technician in the Treasure Coast. They both showed up bright and early to lend a hand. They said cleaning up the beach should be every Floridian’s favorite pastime.
“I am originally from Florida so I feel it is my duty to help in ways that I can, and this beach cleanup is one way that I can,” said Alonzo. “I love that Comcast is involved in the community. This is one of the reasons I love to be part of the team.”
Fielstra, who has been with Comcast for 17 years, said he’s grateful for the chance to volunteer alongside his colleagues.
“It’s my happy place,” Fielstra said. “I spend most of my off time at the beach, so anytime I can come clean up, I do it. I want to see it clean.”