JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Volunteers are needed to help clean up the beaches in Duval and St. Johns Counties.
The City of Jacksonville and Keep Jacksonville Beautiful is partnering with the Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol for the annual July 5th Beaches Cleanup following the Independence Day holiday.
"When it comes to cleaning the beach, we've all got to do our part instead of groping and grumbling griping, bend over and pick it up we all need to do it. Most important thing, when you leave the beach, take something with you. Just leave your footprints," said Chad Sandiford, co-owner of Beach Life Rentals.
Volunteers are invited to head out to Jacksonville Beach from 7 a.m to 9 a.m. on Friday. Litter collection bags and gloves will be distributed to volunteers at the following locations: Atlantic Blvd. at the ocean, Beach Blvd. at the ocean, 16th Ave. South at the ocean.
Participants must be at least 18-years-old or accompanied by an adult, should wear sturdy footwear and sun protection and should bring their own drinking water.
Volunteers are also needed Friday night to clean up beaches in St. Johns County.
They're encouraged to head out from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. There are five beach access points where they can get collection bags: Vilano Beach Access Ramp, A-Street Beach Access Ramp, St. Augustine Pier, Mickler's Beachfront Park in Ponte Vedra and Crescent Beachfront Park.
Volcom will award the St. Johns County volunteer with the most trash collected a Volcom prize pack at each access point. There is also a cigarette butt challenge, where the volunteer who picks up the most cigarette butts will win a pair of electric sunglasses.
"We have to lead by example and show everybody that it takes the entire beach to clean up the beach. It's not one person, it's not 100 people, it's everybody so we have to start today and then follow up tomorrow and then the following day, do it again and again," said Curt Dewitt, co-owner of Beach Life Rentals.
For more information on the St. Johns County clean-up, visit www.keepersofthecoast.org.