OUR FOUNDING & HISTORY
THE CALLING...
Before founding Love Blue Inc., AJ Caruso spent years as an ocean lifeguard and lifelong surfer in Wildwood, New Jersey, developing a deep connection to the ocean and its wildlife.
Through his faith, that connection became a conviction that humanity is called to be stewards of God’s creation.
In 2019, during prayer on the beach, AJ felt called to lead others in protecting the ocean, transforming personal experience and belief into the mission that became Love Blue Inc.
The ocean shaped my life, my faith, and my calling to lead. Love Blue is the result of answering that call.
— CEO & Founder AJ Caruso
TIMELINE
LIFEGUARDS & SURFERS UNITE
On July 19th, 2019 , a small group of ocean lifeguards & community surfers who shared a similar idea of oceanic conservation, decided to establish the vision of Love Blue Inc.
THE RECOGNITION
Later that Summer, Fox 29 News approached us to be featured as one of their local stories to help spread awareness about our mission.
OFFICIAL MOVEMENT BY SUMMER'S END
We started our weekly beach cleanups with 3 volunteers & our last of the summer with around 100 people. By the summer's end, we officially had ourselves a movement. We then began the process of officially registering Love Blue Inc. as a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization.
MORE RECOGNITION
After Summer, the Borough of Wildwood Crest, approached Chief Bud Johnson, AJ's boss, & AJ's family to receive a reward of recognition for our efforts that past summer, while he was at school.
THE START OF COLLEGE CHAPTERS
That September, Myrtle Beach, SC, students from CCU, where Founder AJ Caruso went to school, organized with organizations on campus & in the Myrtle Beach community to host a beach cleanup, which eventually would lead to the establishment of our first college club.
OUR SECOND COLLEGE CHAPTER
Shortly after CCU's successful cleanup launch in Myrtle Beach, lead by Founder AJ Caruso, Founder Sean Lavender started Stockton University Chapter in Atlantic City, NJ.
