Loggerhead Marinelife Center Gains Year-Round Sponsorship with Lilly Pulitzer to Support Beach Cleanups
This week, Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) once again joins forces with Lilly Pulitzer, the iconic clothing brand that is equally known for its punchy apparel and philanthropic efforts. Lilly Pulitzer and LMC will be in a year-long partnership to help support weekly beach cleanups on Juno Beach, FL.
“It’s a privilege working with over ninety global conservation partners, but especially when we get to work with a company whose roots are also in South Florida,” said LMC Conservation Manager, Katie O’Hara. “There is no question that the same charitable spirit of the barefoot Palm Beach princess, Lilly Pulitzer, still exists with her brand today. Her resort wear line isn’t just drawing people to paradise, but is actively protecting it.”
In 2020, the marine debris sort report showed that 99,967 pieces of debris were collected on Florida beaches by LMC and partnering organizations. A total of 99 beach cleanups were conducted and revealed that the greatest offenders were plastic, including hard, foam and film plastics as well as cigarette butts, bottle caps, and wrappers. In 2021, a PEW Charitable Trusts and SYSTEMIQ, Ltd. study revealed that the amount of plastic that flows into the oceans every year is expected to nearly triple by 2040 to 29 million tons.
The year-round sponsorship will entail hosting a Shop and Share event this fall throughout Palm Beach County Lilly Pulitzer stores. Also, there will be special promotions to look out for that highlight the two local and late pioneering females, Lilly Pulitzer and LMC’s Eleanor Fletcher, on Pulitzer’s birthday, November 10.
Everyday visitors are also welcome to lend a hand at Saturday’s Juno Beach cleanups. Every Saturday at 8:30 a.m., guests can meet at LMC’s back gate by the east parking lot to pick up beach cleanups supplies. Upon picking debris, participants will deposit their trash at the initial back gate and receive a free t-shirt, which is likely to be Lilly Pulitzer designed.
Here’s to making our beaches as bright as our closets! For more information on becoming a beach cleanup sponsor, please contact LMC's Blue Friends Society at bluefriends@marinelife.org.