2008 Woodie Awards
Valley Students Give Area Beaches a Make-over
James Bennett
Issue date: 9/26/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 2 next >
Students from Valley College, Los Angeles City College, Van Nuys High School and the National Hispanic Environmental Council (NHEC) descended upon Tower 27 at Santa Monica Beach on Sept. 15, National Coastal Cleanup Day, to eradicate the revolting refuse lurking beneath the alabaster sand.
Organized by Heal The Bay and CalPIRG (California Public Interest Research Group) the volunteers excavated bags upon bags of cigarette butts, Styrofoam, paper, and even some evidence of seaside sex; 40 ounce malt liquor bottles included.
Thanked by legions of grateful surfers, boarders, and sunbathers, the cleanup crew worked diligently from 9:00 a.m. to noon. From San Diego to Ventura, the volunteers combed the beaches searching for the artifacts of human indulgence.
The event is one of many social services being organized by CalPIRG and the Associated Student Union. These organizations work within, and outside the walls of Valley. The beach cleanup event pulled about 20 volunteers from various recruiting opportunities.
Daniel Fuentes, the Commissioner of Campus & Environmental Concerns of Valley's Associated Student Union cited the goal of the operation as "helping people, helping the environment, and helping the community."
The organization hosted a mass carpool to the beach as well as handed out flyers with directions to the site. Although the size of the group at Tower 27 was less than gigantic, the combined force of between 20 to 30 groups working up and down the coast was a substantial collection of humanitarians, fighting to vanquish the beast of coastal pollution.
Caitlin Parker, 23, CalPIRG's campus organizer, conveyed the importance of organizing student events on campus. "We find that a lot of people, especially students talk about social issues. Instead of just talking, we want to find solutions and mobilize activists."
Taking on the sinister embrace of seaside schwag is not only beneficial for beachgoers and ocean wildlife, but also the scientific community. CalPIRG will be tallying all their findings and building a comprehensive database to relay to legislators.
Organized by Heal The Bay and CalPIRG (California Public Interest Research Group) the volunteers excavated bags upon bags of cigarette butts, Styrofoam, paper, and even some evidence of seaside sex; 40 ounce malt liquor bottles included.
Thanked by legions of grateful surfers, boarders, and sunbathers, the cleanup crew worked diligently from 9:00 a.m. to noon. From San Diego to Ventura, the volunteers combed the beaches searching for the artifacts of human indulgence.
The event is one of many social services being organized by CalPIRG and the Associated Student Union. These organizations work within, and outside the walls of Valley. The beach cleanup event pulled about 20 volunteers from various recruiting opportunities.
Daniel Fuentes, the Commissioner of Campus & Environmental Concerns of Valley's Associated Student Union cited the goal of the operation as "helping people, helping the environment, and helping the community."
The organization hosted a mass carpool to the beach as well as handed out flyers with directions to the site. Although the size of the group at Tower 27 was less than gigantic, the combined force of between 20 to 30 groups working up and down the coast was a substantial collection of humanitarians, fighting to vanquish the beast of coastal pollution.
Caitlin Parker, 23, CalPIRG's campus organizer, conveyed the importance of organizing student events on campus. "We find that a lot of people, especially students talk about social issues. Instead of just talking, we want to find solutions and mobilize activists."
Taking on the sinister embrace of seaside schwag is not only beneficial for beachgoers and ocean wildlife, but also the scientific community. CalPIRG will be tallying all their findings and building a comprehensive database to relay to legislators.
Be the first to comment on this story