JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Dozens of people were up early Saturday morning and out in Jacksonville Beach to help clean up the mess left behind by people at the Independence Day celebration. The beach was covered in trash when the cleanup started at 7 a.m., but after a couple short hours, it looked much better.
"It is pretty disgusting right now. I was kind of surprised with how much stuff is out here," said Amanda Paster.
With garbage as far as the eye could see, it did not take long for people to fill up their trash bags. Some came out here by themselves. Bill Hitchcock made it a family event to keep the beaches they love beautiful.
"It's just the right thing to do. Everybody has a good time out there on July 4 and it gives us an opportunity to come out and enjoy the beach early in the morning before anyone's here and get to do something good," Hitchcock told Channel 4.
Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol helps put on this event every year. They say that the number of volunteers that show up every July 5th keeps growing. The volunteers are glad to do it.
"It's a joy. It's an absolute joy to see that many people care about our town come out and clean up," said Beth Acheson.
Parking lots in the area filled with trash were cleaned up as well.
Volunteers hope there will not be as much to clean up next year.