The International WeLoveU Foundation united with Antunes and the City of Carol Stream in Illinois to clean around the Gary-Kehoe Reservoir. With more than 40 WeLoveU volunteers and 20 Antunes employees, the cleanup took place on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. The task at hand was to remove rubble around the reservoir. In the end, the group filled more than 25 garbage bags with fly-away masks, soda cans, large pieces of plastic, and foam litter.

Working Together to Protect Our Waterways

The 140-acre territory, where volunteers cleaned, is a major stormwater management facility. Therefore, keeping the reservoir’s surroundings clean is essential in preserving and enhancing waterways. Otherwise, litter and other debris can slip into the water supply.

Cleaning coastal sites is part of the WeLoveU Foundation’s environmental protection initiative called the Clean WORLD Movement. The word “WORLD” is an acronym that stands for Water, Oxygen, Region, Life, and Descendants. By cleaning up waterways such as the Gary-Kehoe Reservoir, WeLoveU aims to reduce plastic pollution and beautify and encourage the community to participate in volunteer service.

Presently, WeLoveU volunteers on the East Coast are also cleaning up local waterways and coastal sites. Throughout August and September, volunteers are organizing cleanups as part of the Oceans and Waterways Cleanups campaign. The goal is to restore ecosystems affected by plastic pollution. The Gary-Kehoe Reservoir cleanup happened on one of the hottest days of the year. Temperatures reached well above 90 degrees. Despite that, participants finished strong.

Antunes’ CEO Glenn Bullock and Chief Purpose Officer Jane Bullock expressed their happiness in participating in the activity. “It was a really hot day, and they [volunteers] did such a great job with a smile on their faces. They got it done super quick. Thank you! Thank you! We love you, International WeLoveU Foundation.” Antunes is based out of Carol Stream, IL, and they manufacture high-quality countertop cooking equipment and water filtration systems.

The WeLoveU Foundation volunteers in Illinois hope to partner with more corporations to leave a “Clean WORLD” footprint.