Michael Saunders & Company Joins Forces with Special Olympics for Beach Clean-Up

In a wonderful display of community unity to benefit the environment, real estate agents from Michael Saunders & Company's Holmes Beach and Bradenton offices united with the Special Olympics on June 30th to perform a beach clean-up on Anna Maria Island. Approximately 50 people, including 20 Special Olympic athletes and 10 chaperones, joined the Michael Saunders agents and others in this community event. Organized by Tammy Nordling, branch manager of the Michael Saunders Holmes Beach office, what initially started as planning the beach cleanup for her office’s agents turned into something extra special when she decided to reach out and invite the Special Olympics to join them. Tammy realized it would be a great opportunity to bring attention to the amazing work being done by the Special Olympics program. The day of the cleanup began with the volunteers boarding the free Anna Maria Island trolley to meet Mayor Dan Murphy at City Hall, where he thanked them for dedicating their time to keep the beach as pristine as possible. He also presented them with a box of commemorative Anna Maria Island coins to be distributed amongst them. Next, the group proceeded to the beach to grab bags and gloves and get to work. While combing the beach for trash, the group was educated on sea turtle nesting and habits by Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring executive director, Kristen Mazzarella. After the cleanup was finished, the trolley transported the group of volunteers back to Michael Saunders & Company's Holmes Beach office where everyone was treated to lunch.