CALL FOR PROJECTS – FORTHESHORE.ORG

CLEAN OCEAN ACTION’S WAVES OF ACTION DAY

NY/NJ First Wave of Action Day Set for Saturday, December 8, 2012

In the aftermath of the storm, there is a tremendous response from volunteers region-wide who have dedicated their time and efforts to help those affected and in need.  In the spirit of the organic volunteer effort that has grown in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Clean Ocean Action, in partnership with organizations from across New York and New Jersey, are calling on members of the community to coordinate relief effort projects for the first “Waves of Action” day on Saturday, December 8. 

The first Waves of Action Day on Saturday, December 8, is looking for community leaders to become project leaders by registering their task online and facilitating the volunteers that respond.  Types of projects can include: beach, town, and park clean-ups; food, household items, and furniture drives; fundraisers for wildlife and communities in need; and/or home clean out and repair.  The projects will vary based on real, on the ground needs. 

“In the aftermath of Sandy it is evident that all communities were impacted differently,” commented Tavia Danch, Clean Ocean Action’s Education Coordinator.  “‘For the Shore’ is a way to connect projects with people” added Danch.

A call for volunteers is going out as well, to match those in need with people looking to help.  To register for a project, visit www.fortheshore.org or contact Clean Ocean Action at
732 872-0111.

Clean Ocean Action education and advocacy volunteer, Kathleen Gasienica said, “Like many others I have an overwhelming feeling of wanting to help the people in the coastal areas who were devastated by the storm.  Thanks COA for your Day of Action and for giving me the opportunity to help where it is most needed and encouraging the restoration efforts after the television crews have all gone home.”

The Waves of Action day will begin a restoration program “For the Shore” to help initial relief efforts for our community beaches, neighborhoods, and businesses in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.  Future Waves of Action days will evolve with the needs of communities and keep the momentum going for continued improvement of the shore through debris clean ups and projects to improve water quality.

“It has been inspiring to see the response to the devastation, but the journey to restore the shore will be long. We established this program to provide a longer-term strategy to help heal our coastal communities,” said Clean Ocean Action Executive Director Cindy Zipf.

Already making waves, planned projects include clearing trails and debris at the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center, cleaning up Munns Pond County Park, (both in Hampton Bays, NY), a dune restoration project in Midway Beach, South Seaside Park, NJ, and many others.

“The Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center was hit hard by Superstorm Sandy.  All of our resources are being used to care for the influx of exhausted seabirds blown in from the storm, so little time is available to clear our nature trails,” stated Ginnie Frati, Executive Director of The Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center.  “We are so appreciative of Clean Ocean Action for helping us plan this day, and for all the good work they do for the environment.”

Projects being confirmed and posted on ForTheShore.org include December 8 events by Surfrider chapters, Sierra Club chapters, NY/NJ Baykeeper, and NJ Watershed Ambassadors.

Krissy Halkes, Chair of the South Jersey Chapter of Surfrider Foundation noted that her chapter “has been organizing cleanups every weekend since Hurricane Sandy devastated our beautiful beach towns and we look forward to participating in Clean Ocean Action's Wave of Action on the 8^th.”

To register a project visit www.fortheshore.org or contact Clean Ocean Action at
732-872-0111. 

In the interim, for current relief efforts and needs, visit COA’s blog: www.cleanoceanaction.blogspot.com – UPDATED DAILY -- for volunteer opportunities throughout NJ and NY.