Beach Cleanup

Ocean Beach — On Saturday, January 24th, 2009 from 9 to 11 a.m., volunteers gathered in Ocean Beach eager to participate in the San Diego Coastkeeper’s beach cleanup program, sponsored by the Ford Motor Company Fund. Twice monthly, San Diego Coastkeeper partners with the Surfrider Foundation to organize cleanups at designated sites throughout the county where hundreds of volunteers remove debris from our beaches from Imperial Beach to the Oceanside Pier. Volunteers are asked to wear comfortable clothing, closed- toed shoes, and sunscreen. Coastkeeper provides bags, gloves, and water.

The McPherson family (pictured) — Danielle (mom), Jeffrey (dad) and their nine-year-old son Layne — looked forward to feeling as though they were making a difference in the world. Jeffrey said, I’m here today so that when he [Layne] grows up he’ll still have a beach to play on.” When Jeffrey asked his son why he was cleaning up the beach, Layne answered with a youthful fire in his eyes, “I want to save the sea turtles.” Another volunteer added, “Cleanup, feel like I’ve done something meaningful, but the best part is the after party,” hosted by Newport Pizza and Ale house and sponsored by the Alaskan Brewery.

For more information and to find a cleanup near you visit sdbaykeeper.org.