A group of recruiters for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force are staying in Atlantic City for annual training — and during their time here, they are working to lift up the community.
The 360th Recruiting Group for the two services hosted community events across the area Wednesday. The group’s largest event was a bayside and roadside cleanup held in Ventnor in conjunction with the Surfrider Foundation.
About 150 members of the 360th RCG began around 10 a.m., cleaning trash from the road just off a parking lot at 5100 Wellington Ave.
Other events held throughout the day included a food drive for the Community FoodBank of New Jersey in Egg Harbor Township, a donation drive for people who are homeless in Atlantic City organized by Angels in Motion and volunteer work at the South Jersey Horse Rescue in Egg Harbor City. There was also a backpack drive and a cleanup event organized by the Absecon Lighthouse.
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ryan Conroy said the event was designed to express appreciation to local communities for the support they show military service members.
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“It was just a sense of giving back to the community, giving back to the people who have given so much support and appreciation to us; we wanted to give a little bit of that back this morning,” Conroy said. “Our recruiters live and work in the areas that they are located at, and we have kids here, our kids go to school here, our spouses work here, we are very much invested in the communities that we live and work in, so we want to make it as good as we possibly can.”
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Danielle Plá, chair of Surfrider’s South Jersey chapter, said the group deployed an activist network to advocate for the reduction of consumption of single-use plastics that can pollute beaches and ocean waters. The group has previously pushed for municipal and state laws designed to prevent pollution. She said the volunteers Wednesday were sent out in three-person teams, with one person grabbing the trash, another person holding the trash bag and a third person recording which kinds of trash are polluting the area, for research purposes.
“Our cleanups educate and raise awareness. Participants start to see that most of the top items are single-use plastics when they’re picking up on cleanup that can either be eliminated or reduced by using a reusable,” Plá said.
The 360th spans the East Coast, and recruiters in Ventnor on Wednesday hailed from states across the country. The group was in the Atlantic City area because its training was based at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
The coordinator of the day’s community service events, however, happened to be a South Jersey native.
Tech. Sgt. Christine Harwell said she was from Estell Manor and used to play field hockey and run track at Buena Regional High School.
“Community service is so important to our organization. The Air Force instills a set of core values into all of our airmen, and one of those is service before self,” Harwell said. “So being able to give back to the community that invests so much time in us is really just something special that we are very excited to be able to do today.”
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Sgt. Baron Drinks said the event was not just about recruitment but improving the communities they serve.
“We’re not doing it to put people in, or as a publicity stunt, we’re doing it because we love our area, we love our zone,” Drinks said. “If it inspires someone, that’s like a bonus, but at the end of the day, we see people just being genuine, just being themselves.”
PHOTOS: Air Force, Space Force recruits clean up Atlantic County
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On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation. Members of the 319th Recruiting Squadron (l-r) Tech Sergeants Matt Ruscitti and David Dejesus finding all manor of trash.
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On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation. (l-r) Michael Strickland, Chris McClendon, and Christine Mixon, based in Ramstein, Germany, finding plenty of trash in the parking lots.
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On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation. (l-r) Lloyd Krugman, Corey Logsdon, and Dale Cook, all based out of the Greensboro North Carolina area, keep their eyes out for the rest of the car that the tire may belongs to.
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Staff Sgts. Brittany Thole and Monica Ureste clean up the side of the road.
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On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation. (right) Tech Sergeant Ryannn Conroy is the Air Force coordinator for the volunteers of the event.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation.
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Tech. Sgt. Audrey Turner, based out of Hanscom AFB near Boston, records the various types of trash her team found Wednesday, including masks and plastic bottles.
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Joe Maynard, left, and Ryan Nolan, both of Michigan, clean up a swampy patch Wednesday during a service drive for the 360th Recruiting Group of the U.S. Air Force and Space Force.
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Cleanup coordinator Donald Otto, left, instructs volunteers to search for and record the trash they find Wednesday in Ventnor.
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On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation. Chair of the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation, Danielle Plá.
102121-pac-nws-airspace
On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation. (l-r) Volunteers Patti Deroo from Margate and Tracy Atencio of Ventnor.
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On October 20 2021, by the shopping area at 5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor, a roadside and bayside cleanup event was held by members of the United States Air Force and Space Force 360th Recruiting Group volunteers and the South Jersey Surfrider Foundation. (l-r) Katie Webster and Collin Recore, both service members and from New York State, finding and recording the trash they were finding.
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Massachusetts resident and retired Air Force member Robert Modica picks up trash in a Ventnor parking lot.
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