Keep Collier Beautiful (KCB) had the honor of participating in the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Foundation Florida West’s Camp HOBY 2025, where Executive Director Cyndee Woolley joined fellow panelists from the Humane Society of Tampa and Ronald McDonald House Charities to discuss service leadership and community impact with aspiring young leaders.
Sharing KCB’s Mission and Global Impact
Woolley explained how Keep Collier Beautiful, established in 1996 as an affiliate of Keep Florida Beautiful, leads community-wide cleanup and litter prevention projects throughout Collier County. “As a non-government organization, we work with several government agencies, environmental organizations, businesses, schools, and civic organizations to unite the community,” she shared.
The discussion connected local work to global impact, highlighting how KCB’s efforts support UN Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Woolley engaged the audience with interactive questions: “How many of you have seen litter this week? On campus… How many people actually picked up the garbage and threw it away?” This helped illustrate the difference between passion and mindful action.
She emphasized that “there is no ‘away'” when it comes to waste, explaining how sustainable communities require networks including waste-to-energy facilities and traditional “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” approaches.
Leadership Advice and Getting Involved
When discussing effective service leadership, Woolley offered three key pieces of advice: “Listen to the experience and needs of your community. Look for collaborations that create a win-win scenario. Learn how to cold call and ask for sponsorships – which is one of the hardest volunteer roles to fill.”
For students eager to get involved, she suggested calling organizations directly to ask about internships, emphasizing that “longer term commitments are a great way to support and learn.”
Woolley also addressed real challenges facing environmental nonprofits, including public confusion about different types of cleanups and the difficulty of competing with human service organizations. “We are a ‘nice to do,’ not a life-saving ‘have to do,'” she candidly shared.
Her final advice for aspiring young leaders was practical: “Think about what you hope to get out of volunteering. Are you looking for community? Small ways to give back? Try out volunteering at different organizations… there is a different vibe at all of them.”
A Meaningful Connection
The event was particularly special as several Collier County student leaders were in attendance, including representatives from St. John Neumann High School. The interactive Q&A session that concluded the panel showcased the energy and enthusiasm of these future leaders.
“The questions and engagement from these young people was absolutely inspiring,” reflected Woolley. “It’s clear that the next generation is ready to tackle environmental challenges with both passion and practical action.”
Keep Collier Beautiful’s participation in Camp HOBY 2025 exemplifies the organization’s commitment to youth empowerment and leadership development, planting seeds for a more sustainable future in Collier County and beyond.
