Okinawa is home to both U.S. service members and Okinawa residents. It is important that we as U.S. citizens assist with keeping the island we call home clean. SMP is involved by hosting volunteer events where anyone can come and lend a helping hand to clean Camp Courtney and the local area close by.

“This event hosted about 27 volunteers, 10 of them being local nationals,” said Corey Carter, the Camp Courtney SMP event coordinator, and a native of Chicago, Illinois. “This event gives volunteers a chance to give back to the community of Uruma City and strengthen our friendship with them as well.”

Volunteers started at the Camp Courtney SMP office and worked their way toward the main gate. Volunteers then cleaned part of the perimeter of the military base to strengthen local relations with the community. The volunteers collected around ten bags of trash and recyclables.

“We wanted to give back to the community,” said Lance Cpl. Jacob Boyd, Camp Courtney SMP president and a ground electronics transmission systems maintainer with Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, native to Beaumont, Texas. “We haven’t had a city clean up in quite a while due to COVID-19 and it was great to get out there and show our faces and help clean.”

After the event, volunteers were invited to a luncheon at the Camp Courtney SMP. They served hamburgers to thank the volunteers for their hard work cleaning. It also gave Marines who volunteered a chance to socialize with locals who volunteered.

“We wanted to give back to the volunteers today too,” said Boyd. “While wearing gloves, masks and social distancing, we provided them lunch to thank them for their hard work today.”

SMP conducts cleanups every weekend around the island. Camp perimeter and beach cleanups are only some of the volunteer opportunities the SMP has to offer. To participate in the next clean up or other volunteer opportunities, contact your local SMP.

“With our volunteer opportunities, it is a great way to give back to the community in a positive way,” said Carter. “It looks great for our camp, Okinawa, and for the individuals that helped.”