Ron Jon Surf Shop and United Way Host Annual Beach Cleanup

Surf shop donates $10 per volunteer to United Way of Northwest Florida

Apr. 19, 2026 at 1:52am

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An abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of people walking on a beach, with the ocean and palm trees visible in the background, all bathed in a warm, hazy light that creates a dreamlike, atmospheric quality.Volunteers come together for an annual beach cleanup event, fostering a sense of community and environmental stewardship.Panama City Beach Today

Ron Jon Surf Shop and United Way of Northwest Florida have teamed up for their annual beach cleanup event, which they've been hosting for about 12 years. For every participant in the cleanup, Ron Jon makes a $10 donation to United Way of Northwest Florida up to $1,500. The event helps keep the beaches clean and also builds community as people come out together with friends, family, and co-workers.

Why it matters

The beach cleanup event is important for maintaining the cleanliness of the beaches in Panama City Beach, which is a major draw for the area's tourism industry. It also supports the work of United Way of Northwest Florida, a nonprofit that focuses on improving the community's health, financial stability, youth opportunities, and overall resilience.

The details

The beach cleanup event is organized by Ron Jon Surf Shop and United Way of Northwest Florida. The first 100 attendees receive a Ron Jon gift bag, and everyone who participates is entered into a raffle for a prize from Ron Jon. United Way of Northwest Florida is a nonprofit that serves the community by mobilizing local resources and focusing on four key pillars: healthy community, financial stability, youth opportunity, and community resiliency.

  • The annual beach cleanup event has been happening for about 12 years.
  • The latest cleanup event took place on Saturday, April 19, 2026.

The players

Ron Jon Surf Shop

A popular surf shop that has been hosting the annual beach cleanup event with United Way of Northwest Florida.

United Way of Northwest Florida

A nonprofit organization that serves the community by mobilizing local resources and focusing on four key pillars: healthy community, financial stability, youth opportunity, and community resiliency.

Gina Littleton

The president and CEO of United Way of Northwest Florida.

Sara Taber

The assistant manager at Ron Jon Surf Shop.

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What they’re saying

“United Way focuses on four pillars: healthy community, financial stability, youth opportunity, and community resiliency. Our goal is just to make sure families that are struggling find their way out of that struggle, and into stability, and keep our community as healthy as possible.”

— Gina Littleton, President and CEO of United Way of Northwest Florida

“It's important to us to make sure that we keep our beaches clean, that's what our customers come down for. It really helps build community when you come out together with your friends, family, and co-workers.”

— Sara Taber, Assistant Manager at Ron Jon Surf Shop

What’s next

The next annual beach cleanup event organized by Ron Jon Surf Shop and United Way of Northwest Florida is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2027.

The takeaway

The partnership between Ron Jon Surf Shop and United Way of Northwest Florida demonstrates how businesses and nonprofits can work together to support their local community. The beach cleanup event not only helps maintain the cleanliness of the beaches, but also fosters a sense of community and engagement among residents and visitors.