A huge thank you goes out to Ocala Magazine for their wonderful feature on the Marion Oaks Community Beautification Crew in their highly anticipated December 2025 issue! 

We are incredibly honored to be highlighted within the "People and Places 2025" section, recognizing our dedicated efforts in enhancing the beauty and spirit of the Marion Oaks community. 

For those eager to read it and explore the entire issue, you can find it online directly on their website at https://ocalamagazine.com/december-2025



Turning Trash into Pride: 

Miguel Sanchez, Leading the Marion Oaks Beautification

Group

Honored with a Marion County Community Impact Award for leading monthly cleanups and inspiring youth volunteerism, Miguel Sanchez's work in Marion Oaks began with something simple: noticing what others had begun to tune out. Driving through the neighborhood, he saw litter collecting along familiar streets, slowly changing the way people felt about the place they called home. To Miguel, it wasn't just about appearance. "A clean community reflects a caring community, "he says. He believed that if neighbors came together, they could restore pride, strengthen connection, and remind one another that the spaces they share deserve respect.

Since then, Miguel has led regular cleanup efforts through the Marion Oaks Beautification Group. He has seen firsthand how the act of picking up trash can shift a neighborhood's spirit. When people work side by side, neglected areas become places of shared care, and a sense of ownership returns. Residents become less likely to litter, more likely to look out for one another, and more willing to participate in keeping the community strong.

Miguel is especially proud of the younger volunteers who join the cleanups. "They're not just picking up litter. They're shaping the environment they live and grow in," he says. "Their hands-on dedication today creates a better Marion Oaks for tomorrow."

To learn more or get involved, visit marionoaksbeautificationcrew.com

The Marion Oaks Community Beautification Crew unveiled their vibrant new mascot! 

While the charming character itself has made its debut, its official name remains under wraps for now.

The crew promises an exciting announcement soon.

Miguel Sanchez has received high praise and formal recognition from the Congress of the United States House of Representatives, celebrating his recent receipt of the coveted Community Impact Award.

This prestigious honor was relayed through a congratulatory letter signed by Representative Kat Cammack, the member of Congress serving Florida's Third Congressional District.

His exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to the local environment, acknowledging his pivotal efforts with the Marion Oaks Community Beautification Crew, whose ongoing work is instrumental in keeping the community of Marion Oaks notably beautiful. 

FROM MARION COUNTY:

Thank You Miguel Sanchez and the Entire Marion Oaks Beautification Team!

At the Marion County Commission meeting on August 19, 2025, Miguel was honored with the Community Impact Award for his outstanding leadership with Marion Oaks Beautification. Miguel and his team of 24 volunteers dedicate their time each month to clean up the community, partner with local schools so students can earn volunteer hours, and encourage residents to participate in the Adopt-a-Road program.

Their hard work has made a visible impact, helping to create a cleaner, safer, and more enjoyable environment for everyone in Marion Oaks. Miguel’s commitment inspires others to take action and shows how community involvement can make a real difference.

Thank you, Miguel and your volunteers, for your dedication and for helping keep Marion County beautiful! 

Learn more about the Anti-Litter campaign at:
www.MarionFl.org/nohorsinaround

by Staff Report
September 23, 2025

A 33-year-old man has been arrested and charged with felony littering, one month after hundreds of pounds of trash was discovered in Marion Oaks.

Back on Tuesday, August 19, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the area of SW 38th Court in Marion Oaks in reference to a litter violation. A local code enforcement officer had found a dump site that contained “numerous pieces of mail and packages,” according to the arrest report.

Upon arrival at the dump site, the deputy observed “a large pile of scattered household garbage, furniture, and other miscellaneous items.” The report stated that a Marion Oaks woman’s name and address were listed on numerous pieces of mail and boxes.

Marion County Solid Waste arrived on-scene, collected the debris, and transported it to the Baseline Landfill. The following day, MCSO was informed by solid waste officials that the debris weighed approximately 700 pounds, according to the report.

On Friday, September 19, the deputy made contact with the Marion Oaks woman and advised that her name and address had been found on numerous pieces of mail, boxes, and other items that were in the 700-pound trash pile. She allegedly told the deputy that her husband, Justin Vijanio Lopez, was “the one who dumped the debris.”

The deputy spoke with Lopez over the phone, and he “immediately admitted to dumping the debris,” according to the report. Lopez further told the deputy that a “large amount of trash had piled up” in his garage, and he “took multiple loads” to a nearby recycling center.

However, Lopez allegedly told the deputy that he “made a mistake” and “dumped the trash and debris” at the incident location because he was “short on time,” according to the report.

Lopez was placed under arrest and booked into Marion County Jail. He was released the following day after posting bond, and he has been charged with dumping litter over 500 pounds.

A court date for Lopez has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.

News Source:
https://www.ocala-news.com/2025/09/23/man-arrested-for-illegally-dumping-700-pounds-of-trash-in-marion-oaks/