Patch Editors Team up for Beach Cleanup

ST. PETERSBURG - Patch.com is more than a hub for local news, events and conversation. We want to be a part of the community, give back and volunteer. 

As part of our Give 5 initiative, collectively we all decided to volunteer by helping clean up a local beach. Upon contacting Keep Pinellas Beautiful, Patch Regional Editor discovered that Blackthorn Memorial Park in St. Petersburg was one of the coastlines that needed our help the most.

We met in the North Pier of the Skyway Fishing Pier parking lot around 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 14, 2011. Armed with our matching Patch t-shirts we met with Jim Chapin with Keep Pinellas Beautiful.

Chapin said for some reason people visit the area and dump their trash. Instead of using the trash cans that are provided, they leave everything behind. I found this to be very unfortunate, because even if I can't find a nearby trash can, I'll throw everything in a trash bag and dispose of it when I get home. If only everyone did at least that, beach clean ups would become less and less necessary.

Chapin gave each of us trash pickers, two plastic bags and provided cold water bottles as needed. We did the rest. Associate Regional Editor found a tire. I picked up several fireworks leftovers, a flip flop, plastic and glass bottles. My husband Robert found clothing items like shorts and socks. He even found more than 30 Chuck E. Cheese's tokens. At one point, Dunedin Patch Editor and Pinellas Beaches Patch Editor all found several food wrappers and debris left over from meals at the park.

We put in about 2.5 hours of time and I filled at least one and a half bags of trash. Even though I found larger items, I mostly picked up small items like bottle caps and cigarette butts. I greatly enjoyed our time together and the work Keep Pinellas Beautiful is doing. The group is an all-volunteer organization. I hope to help clean up another coastline soon.

For more information

Keep Pinellas Beautiful makes it easy to get involved with cleaning litter from green spaces and coastal areas throughout the county. The group schedules organized cleanups, such as the Florida Coastal Cleanup on Oct. 3. It also has numerous volunteer opportunities for individuals, students, groups and organizations.

You can contact Keep Pinellas Beautiful at 727-533-0402, or email: Stoplitter@tampabay.rr.com