Local Eco Group Celebrates Milestone: You Won't Believe What They Accomplished!

Eco Amigos, the little community group with a big heart and an even bigger mission, celebrated its first birthday on Thursday, November 27th at the Rose & Thistle in Duquesa. And let me tell you, it was a well-deserved celebration!

Local Eco Group Celebrates Milestone: You Won't Be...

Founded just a year ago by Melisa Vaughan, a Brit, and her American husband Danny, Eco Amigos has really taken off. What started as a simple desire to clean up the beaches and public areas along the Costa del Sol has blossomed into a full-fledged international volunteer organization. You see them everywhere now, armed with gloves and bags, tackling the never-ending battle against litter.

The birthday bash itself was quite the affair, with a real artistic edge. Local artist Jesús Coronil Sánchez displayed some truly amazing sculptures, all made from recycled junk he'd salvaged from the beaches and the sea. It was a powerful reminder that even trash can be turned into something beautiful, and that environmentalism can be incredibly inspiring.

One of the highlights of the evening was a fun little guessing game. The question? How many bags of rubbish had Eco Amigos collected in their first year? The answer was a whopping 819 bags! And the best part? A large portion of that was actually recycled. It was a moment of both pride and, let’s be honest, a little bit of dismay. While it’s fantastic they’ve collected so much, it also shines a light on just how much litter there is to begin with.

Melisa Vaughan gave a really heartfelt speech, thanking all the volunteers for their dedication. She also made sure to highlight the successful partnership between Eco Amigos and the Manilva Hiking Group, led by Carlos Pedraza. It’s a great example of how local and international communities can come together to protect the place they call home. It's heartwarming to see this kind of collaboration, especially in a diverse community like the Costa del Sol.

From humble beginnings, Eco Amigos has become more than just a clean-up crew. It's become a real community, a place where people make friends, get creative, and take real pride in keeping their surroundings beautiful. They’re proving that even small actions, when done collectively, can make a huge difference. Honestly, it's inspiring to see.

If you’re interested in joining Eco Amigos for future clean-ups or just want to lend a hand, you can find them on Facebook – just search for Eco Amigos Manilva. They're always posting updates and details about upcoming events. Get involved, it’s good for the soul, and good for the Costa del Sol!

By Donna Neely