Every Litter-Bit Helps – FTJ Residents Help Keep Grit City Pretty

By Franchesca Thomas, FTJ Philanthropy Coordinator

Photo left to right: Ann Edington, Pam Baker, Linda Ford, and Beth Lamanna

Philanthropy has collaborated with Holistic Wellness in organizing off-campus volunteer events for FTJ residents. Volunteering among seniors has been linked to improved quality of life, stronger social networks, increased levels of physical activity, and lower mortality rates. The first official event occurred in May with the partnership of MetroParks.

MetroParks Tacoma holds a litter cleanup at the Point Defiance Marina every third Saturday of the month from April through September. This is a wonderful opportunity for volunteers and groups of all ages to help “keep Grit City pretty” with equipment provided by MetroParks to beautify our beaches and keep our local wildlife safe.

From Independent Living to Assisted Living, four residents banded together to participate in this event on Saturday, May 18th. Pam Baker, Ann Edington, Linda Ford, and Beth Lamanna happily picked up litter along the Marina coastline for a couple of hours as representatives of Franke Tobey Jones. With bright orange buckets and grabbers in hand, they scoured far and wide for trash while sharing their life stories with each other.

To every resident’s pleasant surprise, while there was litter to pick up, it wasn’t nearly as much as they had anticipated. Beth stated, “I’m surprised there hasn’t been any plastic bottles!” Although, she did remark on figuring out who to track down when it came to the production of the plastic straw wrappers for juice boxes, as she found plenty of those.  

Confirming the need of this purposeful trek along Owen’s Beach, the Puget Sound roared to life with the bark of a daring sealion who came very close to the water’s edge. Keeping Grit City pretty is an understatement considering the sheer beauty that was on display in a multitude of ways; from the view of orcas in the distance, to the sight of an Our Lady of the Rock Benedictine Monastery Nun in full regalia taking a stroll in the sunshine.

Desiree Kennedy, the Tacoma Parks coordinator who organizes this event said, “It was truly wonderful to work with FTJ volunteers. I’m so thankful they were able to come and provide so much help! Their effort to get rid of garbage and remove trash was hugely appreciated and will help keep the ocean a healthier habitat for marine wildlife.”

FTJ is a village and, more importantly, a fundamental part of the broader, local community. One hundred years since the groundbreaking and residents continue to exemplify the mission of Mrs. Franke Tobey Jones, both on and off campus.