Love Blue Inc.: A Hot Start to the School Year and a Strong Finish to Summer

As the summer season draws to a close and the school year begins, Love Blue Inc. is more active than ever, building momentum for our mission of protecting the world's oceans through education, advocacy, and direct action. Our community chapters wrapped up summer with impressive cleanup efforts, while our college and university chapters have hit the ground running with remarkable events and initiatives. Here's a look at what we've accomplished and where we’re headed.

Wrapping Up Summer with Impact: Wildwoods Chapters Lead the Way

Our Wildwood and Wildwood Crest chapters capped off the summer with a combined 987 pounds of trash removed from the beaches. The Wildwood Chapter pulled in an impressive 495 pounds, contributing significantly to the preservation of this popular New Jersey destination.

Meanwhile, the Wildwood Crest Chapter saw a major decline in the amount of trash collected, gathering 492 pounds—down from 1,095 pounds last summer. This drop highlights the effectiveness of our sustained community outreach, beach awareness signs, cleanup stations, and partnerships within the community. The reduced litter is a positive sign that our model is working, as locals and visitors alike are becoming more conscious of their impact on the environment.

This success reflects our mission in action: fostering community engagement, increasing environmental awareness, and empowering individuals to make meaningful change.

College and University Chapters: A Powerful Start to the School Year

Our college and university chapters are proving to be a driving force behind Love Blue’s mission. This fall, we’ve seen incredible participation, new partnerships, and impactful events across multiple campuses.

- Coastal Carolina University Chapter kicked off the year with a wave of enthusiasm, signing up 200 members during organization kickoff day. The chapter partnered with the CCU Women’s Lacrosse team and other Greek life clubs for a beach cleanup on August 22. Additional partnerships, including one with the CCU Surf Club, have led to consistent cleanups, with over 100 pounds of trash already removed from Myrtle Beach this semester. The chapter's efforts have gained media attention, with local news interviewing two executive team members about Love Blue’s mission and its ocean conservation initiatives.

- The Florida Gulf Coast University Chapter made an immediate impact with its first beach cleanup, gathering 50 volunteers who removed 70 pounds of trash. This event set the tone for what promises to be an environmentally active semester.

- Stockton University Chapter started the academic year with a beach cleanup attended by 35 volunteers, collecting 20 pounds of waste. Their efforts highlight the consistent engagement of our chapters in New Jersey.

- Monmouth University Chapter is preparing for its first beach cleanup of the year on September 21 at Deal Beach, New Jersey. Their dedication to preserving local shorelines is a vital part of our broader mission.

- The Rowan University Chapter is gearing up for its first events, and we’re excited to see how they will further the mission in southern New Jersey.

- Our Chicago Chapter is making strides in developing community connections, with their first cleanup scheduled in partnership with **Motorola Solutions Company** this Friday. This chapter represents a new frontier for Love Blue, tapping into urban environmentalism and expanding our reach beyond coastal communities.

- The Maui Chapter held a two-day cleanup on September 7 and 8, where 68 volunteers removed 250 pounds of debris from Kanaha Beach Park in Kahului. Their dedication is crucial to protecting Hawaii’s delicate ecosystems.

Developing Chapters and Expanding Reach

We’re also thrilled to announce the expansion of Love Blue into new areas:

- Flagler College will soon have its own chapter, spearheaded by a member of the Wildwood Crest Beach Patrol (WCBP) who was inspired after working with our CEO, AJ Caruso, & learning about Love Blue over the summer.

- Cape May, NJ has officially appointed an officer to lead its chapter, with future cleanups and outreach events already in the works.

Executive Team Updates: Laying the Groundwork for Growth

Our executive team has been hard at work ensuring that Love Blue Inc. continues to grow and impact communities across the nation. Key developments include:

- The creation of a Monthly Donor Program for individuals and businesses, providing new ways for supporters to get involved and help sustain our mission.

- Website updates are underway to better engage our community and showcase the impact of our chapters nationwide.

- Weekly meetings with chapter leaders are keeping everyone connected, fostering collaboration, and laying the groundwork for a successful school year.

- The introduction of the new Love Blue Starter Kits will supply each chapter with the tools they need to succeed.

- We’ve begun shipping the trash collected in Wildwood Crest this summer to TerraCycle for transformation into an art sculpture—a powerful reminder of the waste we remove from our beaches and the creative ways we can repurpose it.

- Our executive team is already planning cleanups, networking events, and fundraising efforts for 2025, ensuring that Love Blue remains at the forefront of ocean conservation.

Looking Ahead

With the summer behind us and the school year well underway, Love Blue Inc. is positioned for continued growth and success. Our mission to protect the world’s oceans is being embraced by new communities, students, and businesses alike. We are excited to see the impact of our university chapters, the continued effectiveness of our community outreach, and the many more opportunities on the horizon.

As we look ahead to the coming months, we’re eager to strengthen our partnerships, expand our donor base, and plan for even more impactful events in 2025. Together, we are making waves and changing the future of ocean conservation.

Let’s keep the momentum going!

Love Blue Maui’s Groundbreaking Beach Cleanup: A New Chapter in Ocean Advocacy

In a monumental moment for the Love Blue Inc. family, the organization has expanded its mission to the Hawaiian islands with the establishment of Love Blue Maui, marking a powerful step forward in protecting the world’s oceans. As one of the planet’s most biodiverse regions and sitting near the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, Hawaii holds a crucial role in the health of the ocean and, by extension, the world’s climate. Love Blue Maui’s inaugural beach cleanup on September 7th and 8th, 2024, at Kanaha Beach Park in Kahului, was not just an event, but a movement that solidified the organization’s presence as the ocean's protectors in Hawaii.

The island of Maui is home to an incredible diversity of marine life, including sea turtles, monk seals, humpback whales, and vibrant coral reefs. These species don’t just contribute to the beauty of the islands—they play an integral role in maintaining the balance of the ocean’s ecosystem. As the controller of the climate, the ocean’s health determines the future of the planet, and in the face of increasing pollution and environmental degradation, Love Blue Inc. has answered the call to protect it for generations to come.

Founded by co-presidents Cameron Tsuhako and Raven Bugtong, along with their dedicated team, Love Blue Maui is more than a community chapter of Love Blue Inc.—it’s a guardian of Hawaii’s waters. On September 7th, 2024, they made history with the first official Love Blue beach cleanup ever held in Hawaii. Volunteers, local students, and key community members gathered for a two-day event at Kanaha Beach Park, coming together to make a difference.

Cleanup Stats:

- Saturday’s Efforts: 20 volunteers cleared debris from the beach, removing 75 pounds of waste from the shore.

- Sunday’s Efforts: 48 volunteers cleared 175 pounds of waste, making significant strides in keeping Maui’s beaches clean.

Throughout the event, Cameron and Raven educated participants on the significance of Love Blue’s mission and why establishing a chapter in Maui was so vital. Cameron passionately shared a powerful Hawaiian proverb:

“Ua mau ke ea o ka ‘āina i ka pono” – “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.”

This sentiment captures the essence of their work, grounded in the Hawaiian concept of kūleana—a deep sense of responsibility to protect the land and waters.

"Our personal motto is ‘Where kūleana is at the heart of what we do,’" Cameron explained, emphasizing that this responsibility is not just a task, but a calling for every volunteer and supporter of the movement.

Love Blue Maui’s cleanup efforts were made possible through the collaboration of several local organizations, including the Maui High School Key Club, Baldwin High School Key Club, King Kekaulike’s Key Club, and members of the Kiwanis Club of Maui. Their combined efforts showcased the power of community in preserving the environment.

As we reflect on the success of this groundbreaking cleanup, Love Blue Maui extends its deepest gratitude to all the organizations and volunteers who made this moment possible. The work we’ve done together is just the beginning. We are committed to safeguarding Hawaii’s marine life, beaches, and the vast ocean beyond, protecting them for the future.

Love Blue Inc.’s expansion into Hawaii is a testament to our continued dedication as Guardians of the Ocean. We are here to protect and preserve these precious waters for generations to come. This is our responsibility. This is our kūleana.

To get involved or learn more about Love Blue Maui’s future initiatives, follow us on Instagram @lovebluemaui, or visit our Linktree at Love Blue Maui Linktree.

Together, we are the ocean’s guardians. Together, we will make a difference.

Love Blue Inc. to Launch Chicago Chapter: Expanding Ocean Conservation Efforts Inland

Love Blue Inc. is thrilled to announce the launch of our Chicago, IL chapter, marking an exciting new chapter in our mission to protect and preserve our waterways and oceans. While Chicago is far from the coast, it is deeply connected to our oceans through its businesses, waterways, and influence. By expanding into major cities like Chicago, we have the opportunity to hold corporations accountable, boost social responsibility, and inspire meaningful environmental change from the heart of the city.

Engaging the Community through Cleanups and Outreach

Our Chicago chapter will lead initiatives such as beach, lake, river, and waterway cleanups, ensuring that the pollution in our cities doesn’t end up in our oceans. By tackling waste at its source, we can help prevent the environmental damage that starts in urban areas and eventually reaches coastal waters. We’re committed to being active in the Chicago community, participating in local outreach events, and working directly with schools to educate students about the importance of environmental stewardship. Through these efforts, we hope to inspire hope and show students what’s possible beyond the city’s borders.

Building Partnerships for Greater Impact

Chicago, as a major metropolitan area, has immense influence, and our goal is to tap into that power to create lasting change. By partnering with local businesses, corporations, and even sports teams, we can raise awareness and promote environmental engagement on a larger scale. Our city chapters play a vital role in Love Blue Inc.’s overall mission—cities are interconnected with the ocean in countless ways, and cleaning up urban areas is essential to conserving our oceans for future generations.

A Call to Action

The Love Blue Inc. Chicago chapter is more than just an environmental group—it’s a movement to make cities more environmentally conscious and responsible. We look forward to working with the people of Chicago to raise awareness, boost involvement, and create a cleaner, healthier future for our oceans and our planet. Join us in this exciting new chapter and help make a lasting impact by getting involved in the Chicago Love Blue Inc. chapter. Together, we can make a difference from the city to the sea.