The launch of the LA28 Volunteer Program marked a meeting point between the Los Angeles community and the spirit that will accompany the Olympic and Paralympic Games of 2028. As part of International Volunteer Day, more than a hundred people gathered at Venice Beach to bring to life the first major activation of the program, an initiative that seeks to unite service, sustainability, and civic engagement. The act of cleaning the coastline became a symbol of collective responsibility, transforming what began as an environmental action into a gesture that reflects the role the city will begin to embrace ahead of the Olympic event.

With the support of Delta Air Lines and in collaboration with Heal the Bay, the day made it possible to restore more than a mile of shoreline, continuing the momentum initiated after the program’s presentation in November. This gathering marks the beginning of a multi-year effort that will accompany the planning of the sporting event and open the door to participation opportunities before the formal volunteer roles that will be enabled for the Games in 2026. The presence of volunteers of all ages showed the community’s desire to contribute early to a shared transformation.

A commitment to the environment that strengthens community bonds

The cleanup at Venice Beach is part of a broader vision of LA28, which sees environmental resilience as a central value for the Games and for the city. Heal the Bay, with nearly four decades dedicated to protecting Los Angeles waterways, has been a key partner in the event’s sustainability planning, contributing to the Impact and Sustainability Plan and working alongside LA28 to drive actions that connect people with their natural surroundings. This activation is also connected to the Resilient by Nature initiative, which seeks practical models of climate action and promotes local investment.

This approach allows the Olympic experience to extend beyond the sporting venues, fostering a culture of care and shared responsibility. The participation of environmental and community organizations shows that the road to 2028 is not built solely by institutions but through the combined efforts that connect people with their territory and with a shared vision of a sustainable future.

Volunteering as a social legacy toward 2028

The event in Venice is the first in a series of regional activations that will take place in the coming years, creating volunteer opportunities that precede the official roles to be opened in the summer of 2026. This strategy seeks to engage the public gradually, cultivating a lasting relationship with the Olympic project and strengthening social cohesion throughout Los Angeles County.

For LA28, working with a variety of nonprofit organizations will be key to expanding the reach of these initiatives and ensuring that volunteering becomes a bridge between the Games and local communities. Through ongoing service activities, the Organizing Committee aims to generate an early sense of belonging, inviting the population to become an active part of a process that transcends sport and begins now, through every collective action that shapes the spirit of 2028.