Beach to Table: 2016 COAST Campaign Highlights Local Activism

The 2016 COAST program finished its seven-week summer season with a series of accomplishments that emphasize the “power of the people” and its impact on change.

In just one August weekend, volunteer ocean advocates reached out to beach and festival-goers at TEN informational tables from Monmouth County to Cape May County. Special thanks go out to the Elberon Beach Club that turned advice into action by changing their snack bar policy so that members would not receive a lid or a straw with a beverage unless they asked. That action, in addition to a very generous donation from the beach club, demonstrates Elberon Beach Club’s serious support and dedication to the health of the ocean and beaches of the Jersey Shore.

COA also applauds and appreciates the high level of commitment from Ocean Grove’s display of the Marine Debris Degradation chart, as well as other educational materials, to make people aware of the dangers of non-point source pollution.

A special thanks to all of the venues who warmly welcomed our COAST volunteers and housed our equipment throughout July and August:

Allenhurst Beach Club, Asbury Park, Avon by the Sea, Bradley Beach, Brick, Chapel Beach Club, Edgewater Beach Club, Elberon Beach Club, Ideal Beach Community Festival, Island Beach State Park, Jenkinson’s, Lavallette, Loch Arbour, Long Branch, Monmouth Beach Bath and Tennis, Monmouth Beach Pavilion, Ocean City EnviroFair, Ocean Grove, Promenade Beach Club, Sands Beach Club, Sea Bright, Seaside Park, Ship Ahoy Beach Club, Surfrider Beach Club, and Tom River’s Beach Ball a Palooza.

Importantly, this program would not be possible without our volunteer ocean advocates who selflessly dedicated precious hours of their sizzling summer weekends to staff COAST tables. Cool, clear waves of thanks to:

Tom and Barb Dyer, Sebby Freeman, Lauren Kosakowski, Kate Dolly, Joyce Grant, Amanda Duerkes, Margot Fernicola, John Bosman, Sofia Escandon, Jim Sharkey, Linda Swenarton, Johnny Swenarton, Nicole Swenarton, Nik Pavincic, Robert Delfino and Family, Andrea Andruk, Kirk Murdoch, Cindy Brincha, Mark and Ava Haviland, Cheryl Castles and Family, Patrick and Christine McGrath.

September weekends are filling up with festivals in anticipation of our “Local Summer”. Check out the website for more information and to sign up to staff a table this month and/or contact Amanda Wheeler (citizens@cleanoceanaction.org) for more details.