Groups Join Forces for STX Beach Cleanup

Melissa Ferreras adds more beach trash to the bin during Sunday's beach cleanup on St. Croix. Just Right Trucking and Trash Removal donated their services. (Linda Morland photo)
Melissa Ferreras adds more beach trash to the bin during Sunday’s beach cleanup on St. Croix. Just Right Trucking and Trash Removal donated their services. (Linda Morland photo)
Wilfrido Ferreras, vice president of Dominicans in Action Committee, dig trash out from under a seagrape tree. Plastic bottles, beer bottle and foam food plates/containers were the predominant items found and removed in approximately 45 large bags of trash. (Linda Morland photo)
Wilfrido Ferreras, vice president of Dominicans in Action Committee, dig trash out from under a seagrape tree. Plastic bottles, beer bottle and foam food plates/containers were the predominant items found and removed in approximately 45 large bags of trash. (Linda Morland photo)

A dozen or so people of varying ages on Sunday worked under the hot sun to fill approximately 45 large trash bags with beach trash from Little Bay on the Eastern side of Altona Lagoon. The most commonly discarded items were plastic bottles, beer bottles and food containers and plates. A dozen tires also were picked up.

The work was done by representatives of the Dominican Action Committee and the 4-H Ambassador Program, joining forces for the clean up.

“In preparation for Holy Week and the tradition of Easter camping on the beach, the UVI-CES 4-H Ambassadors will partner with the Comite de Accion Dominicana to ‘pledge their hands to larger service,’” one prong of the 4-H pledge that guides 4-H members, according to Sarah Dahl-Smith.

Wilfrido Ferreras, a 4-H parent and committee vice president, said that in conversation with his daughter, 4-H Ambassador Melissa Ferreras, both agreed that this would be a great way for 4-H to give back to the community in a meaningful way.

In addition, their work together will forge a relationship with the committee that will pave the way for support in the future for 4-H, he added.

The beach cleanup turned up a dozen used tires Sunday. (Linda Morland photo)
The beach cleanup turned up a dozen used tires Sunday. (Linda Morland photo)
Janay Ventura shows a few of the items that she collected and disposed of during the beach clean up. (Linda Morland photo)
Janay Ventura shows a few of the items that she collected and disposed of during the beach clean up. (Linda Morland photo)
Some of the 12 to 14 people of all ages who worked together to gather and dispose of trash along the beach in preparation for the upcoming Easter camping. 4-H Ambassadors and Dominicans in Action Committee Members made up the volunteers. (Linda Morland photo)
Some of the 12 to 14 people of all ages who worked together to gather and dispose of trash along the beach in preparation for the upcoming Easter camping. 4-H Ambassadors and Dominicans in Action Committee Members made up the volunteers. (Linda Morland photo)