Minister Gumbs to Headline Early Learners BookStart Celebration in St. Maarten

Two St. Maarten-based organizations, Perpetual Plastics (EPIC) and Freegan Food Foundation, have earned second place at the National Volunteer Awards in the Netherlands, organized by the Association for Volunteering in the Netherlands. The recognition highlights the impactful community and environmental work being carried out on the island. Perpetual Plastics focuses on recycling and reducing plastic waste, while Freegan Food Foundation works to address food insecurity by rescuing surplus food. Their combined efforts earned them a top-three finish among volunteer organizations across the entire Dutch Kingdom. The achievement brings national visibility to grassroots sustainability and social welfare initiatives on St. Maarten. Both organizations expressed pride in the recognition, which underscores the growing strength of volunteer culture on the island.

Ninety-six students from Oranje School, Leonard Conner School, and Charlotte Brookson Academy participated in the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) along the beach and boardwalk in Philipsburg, St. Maarten. The event was organized in partnership with Tim Roosens and environmental group EPIC. In just one hour, the students collected a notable amount of debris from the coastal area, demonstrating strong youth engagement in environmental stewardship. The ICC is a globally recognized annual event that mobilizes volunteers worldwide to remove trash from coastlines and waterways. St. Maarten's participation highlights the island's ongoing efforts to protect its marine environment, which is vital to both its ecosystem and tourism industry. The energy and turnout from local schools signal growing awareness among younger generations about coastal pollution and environmental responsibility.

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – La Honorable Ministra de Educación, Cultura, Juventud y Deporte, Melissa Gumbs, se unirá a familias, jóvenes lectores, educadores y miembros de la comunidad en la Gran Celebración de la campaña *Early Learners BookStart* 2026, que tendrá lugar el sábado 19 de septiembre de 2026 en el parque E