The CSUN Women’s Soccer, Women’s Water Polo and Women’s Tennis teams all participated in the worldwide event in effort to give back and beautify their community.

Partnering with the non-profit organization Pacoima Beautiful, the three teams cleaned up Ritchie Valens Park in Pacoima and the city’s surrounding areas. A total of 200 volunteers attended the site, helping pick up over 1,240 pounds of trash. Throughout the Los Angeles county, over 3,500 pounds of trash were picked up on that day.

A senior on the women’s tennis team, Skyla Alcon is an intern with Pacoima Beautiful and was instrumental in organizing her team’s involvement in the event.

CSUN Women’s Tennis Team.

“With the current state of the environment, this coastal cleanup day promotes a cleaner environment not only here in California, but worldwide,” said Alcon. “Working with Pacoima Beautiful as an intern this past year has been an extremely fulfilling experience.”

CSUN Women’s Water Polo’s junior Ashlee Sellung spearheaded her team’s participation at the event as well. Sellung was eager to help out with the community efforts and partner with Pacoima Beautiful.

CSUN Women’s Polo Team.

“The coordinators at Pacoima Beautiful planned a really impactful event and I’m glad we got to be a part of it,” said Sellung. “It was also great to come together with other teams like women’s soccer and tennis to help out the surrounding community. I hope we can continue to be a part of this special non-profit and volunteer at more events as impactful as this one.”

After the morning cleanup, the women’s soccer team organized an afternoon soccer tournament at Ritchie Valens Park.

“We’re always looking to volunteer when we can,” said junior Bret Guarino. “This event was a great opportunity for us to give back to the community. It was great to see that other CSUN student-athletes from different teams were there to help out too.”

Pacoima Beautiful provides environmental education, advocates sustainability and coordinates programs and activities throughout the year. The organization is one of many entities to take part in the annual cleanup effort.

The volunteering event is celebrated in communities worldwide as volunteers pick up trash and items to raise awareness about major pollution challenges. First organized over 30 years ago, the event garners volunteers of more than 150 countries. Every third Saturday in September, coordinators organize the cleanup of thousands of beaches, waterways and underwater habitats as well as inland, park and neighborhood areas.

For more information about Coastal Cleanup Day, visit healthebay.org.