RASM Volunteers Remove 265 Pounds of Litter During Waterway Cleanup

Protecting our communities goes beyond real estate. It means caring for the places we live, work, and play.

On Saturday, July 11, the REALTOR® Association of Sarasota and Manatee (RASM) Community Outreach Committee partnered with Keep Manatee Beautiful for the Florida REALTORS® Clean Up Florida Waters initiative, bringing together REALTORS®, business partners, families, and community volunteers for a morning dedicated to protecting our local waterways.

By the end of the cleanup, 55 volunteers had collected an impressive 265 pounds of litter from Bradenton Beach, helping preserve the area's natural beauty while creating a cleaner, safer environment for residents, visitors, and local wildlife.

Small Actions, Big Impact

Throughout the morning, volunteers worked together to remove litter of all kinds, including countless cigarette butts, plastic bottles, and other debris that had made its way into the surrounding environment. Among the day's more memorable discoveries was a plastic unicorn complete with bright pink hair, proving that you never know what you might find during a cleanup.

While some of the items collected were unexpected, every piece of litter removed helps protect local waterways and reduces the impact of pollution on our environment.

Jennifer Hoffman, Executive Director of Keep Manatee Beautiful, shared her appreciation for everyone who participated:

"We are so thankful to the REALTOR® Association of Sarasota and Manatee for choosing to spend part of their Saturday giving back to our community. Their 55 volunteers rolled up their sleeves and removed 265 pounds of litter, making a real difference for our neighborhoods, waterways, and wildlife. It's always inspiring to see people come together with a shared commitment to keeping our community clean and beautiful. We truly appreciate their partnership and the positive example they set for others to get involved and make an impact."

Powered by Partnership

This successful cleanup would not have been possible without the dedication of our volunteers and community partners.

A special thank you to Keep Manatee Beautiful for their continued partnership and leadership in organizing this important initiative. We also extend our appreciation to The Keyes Company for generously providing coffee, pastries, and water to help fuel our volunteers before they headed out to clean the shoreline.

Most importantly, thank you to every REALTOR®, business partner, family member, and community volunteer who gave their Saturday morning to make a positive difference. Your willingness to serve demonstrates the lasting impact we can make when we come together around a common purpose.

Get Involved

The Waterway Cleanup is just one of many opportunities offered through the RASM Community Outreach Committee to give back to the communities we proudly serve.

Whether it's volunteering at a cleanup, supporting a local nonprofit, or participating in a donation drive, every act of service helps strengthen the communities we call home.

To learn more about RASM Community Outreach and discover upcoming volunteer opportunities, visit www.myrasm.com/outreach.