Port Charlotte girl, 12, inspires community to cleanup the environment

A Port Charlotte girl said all you need is two hands and time to make the world a better place.

Alexa Poulin is wearing a sash because she was just named “Today’s International Woman Junior Queen of Queens.” But Alexa’s reason for running was not to put on a crown. She ran to put an important cause in the spotlight.

Alexa, 12 years old, tries to educate the public about the repercussions of materials they use on a reoccurring basis can have on our environment. She is inspiring people to volunteer their time in local cleanups.

Now, she spends every other weekend cleaning up Southwest Florida and recruits others to do the same through her ‘One Earth’ volunteer charity.

“They’re helping the environment,” said Kim Emergy-Poulin, Alexa’s mother. “They do it laughing and smiling and it makes my heart feel super happy every time I go with them to clean.”

The charity cleans up beaches and parks. Kim said it is remarkable the difference when comparing photos of before the cleanup to afterward – an abundance of trash at a park turns into clean, green grass.

Alexa and her peers will be cleaning up Venice Beach this weekend. She also has a trip to the Florida Everglades planned. She told WINK News her mission is essential for our future generations.

“With the earth,” Alexa said, “we only have one.”

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