PHILIPSBURG--Engage Foundation had a mission to clean St. Maarten one run at a time. That mission was completed Sunday morning during the First Annual Engage Caribbean Gems Trash Run during which six teams collected 3,144 pounds of trash.
Manu Budhrani of Caribbean Gems reminded participants, “It is our island and with initiatives such as this we show just how much garbage the island has, but it should not be like this. There should be some other way that people handle and treat their garbage.”
The Pain Cave Tribe, Sentinel Guardians, Crossfit SXM, U 2 Can Move, Tribal Hogs, and JCI SXM Waste Slayers teams took off from Raoul Illidge Sports Complex and made their way to Cole Bay, Simpson Bay and Cay Bay, collecting trash along the way within their respective zones.
The winning Pain Cave Tribe team received US $1,000 towards their charities of choice Animal Defenders and Safe Haven.
“Some events focus on fitness, some events focus on awareness and some events benefit the entire community, but Engage Foundation managed to combine all three of these into one incredible event. We were able to challenge ourselves, laugh and clean up our beautiful home all at the same time,” said Nicole Erato of Pain Cave Tribe.
Sentinel Guardians placed second with $500, which will go towards the Youth Extravaganza Foundation.
“Engage Foundation organised an amazing event today, a challenging event that combined positively contributing to our community on one hand and promoting team spirit on the other. Can’t wait for the next event,” stated Sentinel Guardians’ Marlon Matser.
Crossfit SXM placed third with $250, destined for No Kidding with Our Kids Foundation. Team member Susy Maidwell Piscione said, “Today proved that winning really doesn’t matter; instead, being part of making a difference is so much more important.”
The trash was taken to St. Maarten Recycling, where it will be sorted and sent for recycling.
Engage said it was pleased to team up and be able to make an impact on the environment, bringing the “run” full circle.
The foundation encourages residents to re-use and reduce and keep St. Maarten clean by disposing of their garbage responsibly. It thanks partner Caribbean Gems, sponsors and all the volunteers for making the Trash Run a success.
