On July 5th, a remarkable event took place along the shores of Washington State’s Long Beach Peninsula. Over 400 dedicated volunteers gathered together to restore the natural beauty of the beach and their efforts, did not go unnoticed. We want to express heartfelt appreciation to the beach approach coordinators, volunteer cleaners, on the beaches, organizers, and everyone involved in making this cleanup a resounding success. Without their selflessness and commitment, this remarkable feat would not have been possible!

Thank you to the hundreds of volunteers who gave up a part of their holiday. We also extend our deepest appreciation, to the individuals who handed out garbage bags at the major beach approaches, for the use of those enjoying July 4th festivities on the beach. Their enthusiasm and dedication played a crucial role in mobilizing and engaging the community in this essential environmental endeavor.

A round of applause goes out to so many “ham” radio operators, who facilitated and strengthened communication among our all our beach approaches and volunteers. Thank you to those fantastic, welcoming beach approach coordinators! We cannot overlook the hardworking volunteer truck drivers, who tirelessly drove their trucks along the high tide line, collecting bags filled with debris left by the volunteers. Their dedication ensured a smooth operation and allowed the cleanup to cover a larger area. We express our sincere gratitude.

Let’s also extend our thanks to the Peninsula Activity Senior Center, for a wonderful space to have our soup feed following the clean up, and to the volunteers who assisted, at the soup feed following the cleanup. Their kindness and hospitality provided much needed nourishment and comfort to the weary participants. Doing this fosters a sense of community and camaraderie among the community. Their contributions were pivotal in creating a positive and uplifting atmosphere after a day of hard work.

Appreciation and heartfelt thanks to our year-round cleanup efforts.

While the cleanup on July 5th was a significant event, we must not overlook the ongoing efforts of individuals who regularly dedicate their time to pick up trash along the beach throughout the year. These unsung heroes exemplify the spirit of environmental stewardship and inspire others to do their part. Their dedication and commitment deserve our utmost appreciation. We encourage everyone to join in this regular effort, however that may look for you. The GrassRoots Garbage Gang offers many opportunities to get involved. If you would like want to join in or, even adopt a section of beach, or contribute in some other way, please contact us at Join@OurBeach.org.

Financial support

We extend a special thank you to the Pacific County Marine Resource Committee for their consistent financial support throughout the year. Their contributions enabled the organizing team to provide the necessary resources, logistics, and outreach for the cleanup event. Additionally, we express our gratitude to Washington State Parks for managing the dumpsters, during the July 4th holiday weekend, ensuring the proper disposal of collected debris. Their support was instrumental in the success of this endeavor.

The cleanup of Long Beach Peninsula on July 5th was a tremendous success, and it would not have been possible without the efforts of over 400 volunteers and the support of various organizations. We sincerely thank every single person who contributed their time, energy, and resources to make this event a resounding success. Let us all be inspired by their dedication to preserving the beauty of our environment, and continue to work with them toward a cleaner and healthier future for our beaches.

SHELLY POLLOCK

Grassroots Garbage Gang organizer