Coastal Carolina University Chapter: A Phenomenal Year So Far

The Love Blue Coastal Carolina University (CCU) Chapter has kicked off the 2024 academic year with remarkable momentum, quickly establishing itself as one of the most active and impactful student organizations on campus. Since the start of the semester, the chapter has made significant strides in beach conservation, community engagement, and campus involvement, showcasing a deep commitment to protecting the oceans.

Record-Breaking Kickoff

On August 19th, the Love Blue CCU Chapter officially launched during Organization Kickoff Day, where their booth attracted an overwhelming response from students. With over 200 sign-ups, the club became the largest on campus, a testament to the growing passion for ocean advocacy and environmental preservation among the CCU community.

Partnership with CCU Women’s Lacrosse

Shortly after their impressive debut, the chapter wasted no time in getting to work. On August 22nd, Love Blue teamed up with the CCU Women’s Lacrosse Team for a beach cleanup, marking the first of many collaborative efforts. This cleanup not only strengthened bonds between campus groups but also set a precedent for the chapter’s active role in promoting sustainability.

Following this successful event, the chapter officially appointed its executive board, a team of driven and enthusiastic students ready to lead the organization to new heights throughout the year. With passionate individuals at the helm, the future of the chapter looks incredibly promising.

Collaboration with the CCU Surf Club

The momentum continued with a fun and engaging partnership with the CCU Surf Club on August 28th. The cleanup was a great success, bringing together students who share a love for the ocean, both as athletes and advocates. It was more than just a cleanup—it was a celebration of community and environmental stewardship.

September Cleanups and Campus Partnerships

Rolling into September, the chapter organized five successful cleanups around Myrtle Beach, partnering with different fraternities and sororities on campus. These collaborations helped extend the reach of Love Blue’s mission, bringing in new volunteers from across CCU’s vibrant Greek life. The collective efforts not only deepened relationships within the campus community but also resulted in meaningful environmental impact.

Chapter Sweatshirts: A Hit

One of the chapter’s most exciting achievements came with the release of their custom chapter sweatshirts. Designed by the Love Blue team, the sweatshirts were introduced at their October 3rd cleanup, a day that turned out to be a major success. Volunteers proudly wore the sweatshirts, further fostering a sense of unity and identity within the chapter. The stylish design has quickly become a symbol of pride for members, further solidifying the chapter’s presence on campus.

Outstanding Volunteer Turnout and Environmental Impact

Since the chapter's launch in August, an astounding 465 volunteers have participated in their cleanups, underscoring the widespread enthusiasm for ocean conservation at CCU. Through their collective efforts, the chapter has successfully removed 399 pounds of trash from the beaches of Myrtle Beach, making a tangible difference in the local environment.

Branching into the Community

The impact of the Love Blue CCU Chapter has extended far beyond the university. Their work has caught the attention of the wider community, leading to the chapter being featured on a local TV news station. This media coverage has brought even more visibility to their mission, inspiring others to join the fight to protect our oceans.

Looking Ahead

As the Love Blue Coastal Carolina University Chapter continues to grow, the future is filled with promise. With a passionate executive board, engaged student body, and expanding community connections, this chapter is well on its way to making a lasting difference for the oceans. Their year so far has been nothing short of spectacular, and they are poised for even greater success as they continue to advocate for cleaner beaches and healthier marine ecosystems.

Join Love Blue Coastal Carolina University's Upcoming Cleanups!

If you're passionate about protecting our oceans and want to get involved with the Love Blue CCU Chapter, there are several opportunities coming up. The chapter is hosting the following cleanups, and everyone is welcome to join:

• October 15th – Springmaid Pier Beach, 6:00 PM

• October 23rd – Bummz Beach Cafe Beach, 5:30 PM

• October 28th – Wicked Tuna Beach, 5:30 PM

  
  

These cleanups are a great way to meet like-minded people, make a difference, and enjoy the beauty of Myrtle Beach. All supplies are provided, and volunteers will receive community service hours and a chance to contribute to a cleaner, healthier ocean.

Come out and support Love Blue’s mission to protect our coastlines—every piece of trash removed makes a difference!

Wildwood Crest Chapter Partners with the Otters Swim Team for Beach Conservation

On October 6th, Love Blue Inc.'s Wildwood Crest Chapter teamed up with the Otters Swim Team, a vibrant group of young swimmers from the Otters Swim School of South Jersey, for a special beach cleanup and conservation event. These energetic and enthusiastic young ones took to the shore, learning about ocean conservation and their role as the next generation of guardians of our marine ecosystems.

At Love Blue, we believe that fostering a sense of responsibility and awareness in the younger generations is key to building a sustainable future. The Otters Swim Team embraced this mission wholeheartedly, engaging with Love Blue's hands-on approach to ocean stewardship. Through this partnership, the children learned the importance of protecting marine life and maintaining clean beaches, ensuring that their passion for swimming extends beyond the pool and into the well-being of our oceans.

The event reflected Love Blue’s larger vision of creating clean and sustainable communities, not only here in Wildwood Crest, NJ, but across the nation and eventually the world. From our roots here at Wildwood Crest, we’ve grown into a national movement, with chapters at colleges and universities all over the country, each setting the standard for environmental care and community leadership. The work we do with local groups like the Otters Swim Team plays a crucial role in passing down the torch to these future leaders.

Love Blue Wildwood Crest is excited to build on this momentum and is actively seeking more local groups, organizations, and businesses to join our movement. Through partnerships like this one, we aim to boost social responsibility and ensure that every community has a role in protecting our planet. We encourage all those passionate about the environment to join us in this mission, helping to expand the reach of our impact and create lasting change.

Together, with the energy of young people and the commitment of local communities, we can protect our oceans for generations to come!

Love Blue Inc. Expands to Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL

Love Blue Inc. continues its mission to protect oceans and coastal environments with the exciting launch of its newest chapter at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida. Led by Sammy Andres, a passionate ocean advocate, this chapter is poised to bring a wave of student-driven environmental action to the campus and the surrounding community.

Sammy's journey with Love Blue began over the summer while working on the Wildwood Crest Beach Patrol in New Jersey. There, her admiration for the ocean deepened, and she crossed paths with Love Blue CEO, AJ Caruso. During their conversations, AJ shared Love Blue Inc.'s national presence, sparking Sammy’s interest in bringing the movement to her college. Upon returning to school, Sammy reached out to AJ to learn more about the process of starting a chapter, and now, the club is in the approval phase with Flagler College.

The Flagler chapter is already building momentum, with its first interest meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 25th, at 6:30 PM at the West Lawn Gazebo. The meeting aims to attract enthusiastic students who are passionate about ocean conservation and eager to make a difference in their community.

This chapter is an exciting opportunity for students at Flagler to get hands-on in environmental activism, from beach cleanups to raising awareness about ocean pollution. As Love Blue continues to grow across the country, the Flagler College team is ready to lead the charge in preserving the beauty and health of St. Augustine's coastlines.

For students interested in joining or learning more, the September 24th meeting will provide a great opportunity to get involved from the very start.