ENCINITAS — Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear gardening gloves and carry a trash grabber.
At today's Earth Day celebration, the City of Encinitas honored Alessandro Fraschetti with the "Environmental Hero of the Year" award. Fraschetti, a familiar face to anyone who visits Moonlight Beach in the early mornings, has been single-handedly cleaning the coastline for 15 years.
His stats are staggering: over 4,000 pounds of debris removed, including cigarette butts, plastic bottles, and fishing line. He logs every pound in a notebook he keeps in his truck.
Accepting the plaque from the Mayor, Fraschetti spoke softly, saying he doesn't do it for awards. The ocean gives so much joy, he noted, and the least people can do is keep it clean.
His dedication has inspired others. The "Fraschetti Brigade," a group of local high school students, now joins him on Saturday mornings to help with the cleanup. It's a legacy of stewardship that will last far longer than the plastic he picks up.