At ReEmployAbility, community service is more than a value, it’s a commitment. Last month, members of our IT team partnered with Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful to clean up the Hillsborough River, removing trash and debris to help protect wildlife and preserve one of Tampa’s most scenic waterways for everyone to enjoy.
Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting environmental stewardship through volunteer and educational opportunities. Their initiatives focus on litter prevention, waste reduction, and community beautification—empowering individuals and groups to take an active role in protecting natural resources.
In 2025 alone, their efforts resulted in 372,486 pounds of litter removed, 1,244 projects completed, and over 1,600 gardens, trees, and shrubs planted. These achievements were made possible by 24,026 volunteers, proving that when a community comes together, big change happens.
Creating Meaningful Change, One Small Act at a Time
Inspired by a shared love for the outdoors and the vibrant downtown Tampa area, our IT team wanted to give back to a place they enjoy by helping keep it clean and beautiful. By the end of the cleanup, the team had collected nearly two buckets of trash, a small but meaningful contribution to a much larger effort.
Richard, our Database Developer, shared the most rewarding part of the experience, “After spending a few hours out in the water and seeing two buckets full of trash that we collectively removed from the bay, it hit me that even though it’s a small amount in the grand scheme of things, every little bit counts. Not to mention people overhead on bridges thanking us for our service.”
For Eric, our IT Infrastructure Administrator, the opportunity was eye-opening, “Seeing the amount of trash firsthand showed how serious pollution is and how it affects water quality and wildlife. It also highlighted the importance of community involvement and the critical role volunteers play in supporting the nonprofit’s mission.”
Throughout the day, boaters and people along the Riverwalk waved and clapped in appreciation—a reminder that even small acts of service can inspire others and create a ripple effect of positive change.
The Value of Volunteering
For those considering volunteering for the first time, our IT team had simple advice: just jump in. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the task, your willingness to help truly makes a difference.
As one team member shared, “It’s a meaningful way to give back to the community and make a visible impact on the environment. Cleaning trash and debris from the Hillsborough River not only helps keep Tampa Bay beautiful but also protects wildlife and improves water quality. It was especially rewarding to hear people clap and thank us while we were working—those moments made us feel appreciated and reminded us how much the community values these efforts.”
At ReEmployAbility, we believe that small efforts lead to big change. We’re proud of our IT team for dedicating their time and energy to help Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful achieve its mission. Their work reflects our ongoing commitment to strengthening the communities we call home—one volunteer day at a time.
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