JW Marriott Beach Clean-Up Slated for August 30th

Started in 2014, National Beach Day Celebrates the beauty of coastal habitats and the wildlife found within. It is a reminder to not only enjoy beaches with friends and loved ones, but to also protect them for generations to come by practicing environmental stewardship. The JW Marriott Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort and Spa is perched on three miles of pristine shoreline and surrounded by the sugar-soft sand and incredible creatures that call the ecosystem home. In honor of the upcoming holiday, the resort is organizing a beach clean-up to help the surrounding environment thrive. 

This initiative is the culmination of a new annual program at the resort called "Take Action August" where the 1,150 associates were encouraged to donate at least one hour of time to a local cause of their choice over the course of the month. The collective goal of more than 1,150 hours was intended to help serve the community that team members call home and create a tangible positive impact for nearby organizations. Thus far, 900 community service hours have been tallied with more coming in each day. 

The catalyst for "Take Action August" was General Manager Sharon Lockwood's 40 year anniversary with Marriott International. Lockwood's approach to service is inspiring, as is her commitment to providing team members with opportunities to support community organizations. This first annual volunteerism event offered a variety of options for the team including revitalizing local parks, supporting local shelters, stocking food pantries and beach clean-ups.

"In my career I have always sought to carry forward a legacy of compassion and uplift my team to do the same," said Lockwood. "Our local community is our home, but also the place where we welcome our esteemed guests. Not only is there an inherent desire to protect it, but also find ways to make it even better. This beach clean-up paired with our other volunteer activities help us to deliver on that mission and expand upon our local positive impact - keeping our idyllic destination beautiful."