Like a swarm of worker bees, Target volunteers descended on Lovers Key State Park and put their muscle and endurance to the test.
They battled the heat, the sun and even the bugs to clean up the park as part of Target’s National Day of Giving held at the park.
“We wanted to find an event where as a company, we could give back to the community and (the park) was generous and worked with us so we could bring a large group out,” said Jason Williams, 30, of Bonita Springs. He works in Target's Human Resources and helped organize the event.
The group of more than 50 volunteers including managers, employees and even their kids put on gloves, grabbed trashed bags and started cleaning.
“I thought it was a good project and we try to do things with the kids together,” said Gina Hoon, 48, of Estero. She brought her son to the clean up and sprayed him down with bug spray. “(Volunteering) a good thing for them to learn.”
The group split up into group of four to seven volunteers and scattered throughout the park.
Some trimmed trees, others sprayed for exotic plants and some picked up cigarette buds from the beach.
“The cigarette buds are dangerous to the sea turtles. They can’t tell the difference so they eat them and get sick,” said Pam Jones-Morton, to her group which focused on cleaning the North Beach of the park. “We have had a few turtles in rehabilitation and they end up with a stomach full of cigarettes.”
The goal for the day was not only to clean up the park but to get as many people involved as possible.
“My goal was to get at least 10 employees from each of the Southwest Florida stores to volunteer their time. I think we did that and more with a few exceptions,” said Williams.
Park rangers normally do the cleaning but the summer months are trying.
“Summertime is when we lose a lot of our seasonal volunteers so extra man power helps with the clean up,” said Park Ranger Brie Jamison.
Volunteers were asked to focus on picking up “micro trash,” or fishing line, rope, bottles and the tops of beer cans.
“This group is great, they are really into it and they are focused and just plowing though,” said Jones-Morton, of Estero. Her group collected sandals and found an old fishing rod sticking out of the water.
William was glad that the day brought a noticeable difference to the park.
“It’s great that we can come out here and give back,” Williams said.
The morning clean-up ended with a regrouping at the park's pavilion for lunch, frisbee tossing and group pictures.
“I think that (Target) picking us is a testament to the kind of company they are and how great Lover’s Key is,” said Jamison.
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