Clean Ocean Action's Waves of Action Day in Long Branch

Atlantic Highlands, NJ – In response to the devastation caused by Super-Storm Sandy, it is clear that the need for volunteers is growing,  Clean Ocean Action has launched a long term volunteer initiative to help the communities and millions of citizens left devastated in the wake of Sandy.  Starting December 8th, and regularly thereafter, COA will connect community needs throughout the NJ/NY region with the volunteers willing to help through a program called “Waves of Action.” Projects and volunteers register for December 8th's first Wave of Action on a newly developed website www.ForTheShore.org. 

“What Sandy destroyed in 48 hours will take months and years to fix.  We established the Waves of Action program to provide a longer-term, sustainable strategy to help heal our coastal communities and protect the quality of our region’s ocean,” stated Cindy Zipf, Clean Ocean Action Executive Director, “we hope to help communities go green to save big blue.”

As we stand tall and pull together to recover and rebuild our own homes and lives, many are also donating time for neighbors and communities.  Added Lisa Cordova, Clean Ocean Action Volunteer and Event Committee Member, “since the storm, a surge of volunteers is one of the top needs for coastal communities.”

“In the aftermath of Sandy, volunteers are ready and eagerly looking to help. Many of the impacted municipalities, businesses, and families are working hard to put their pieces together and may not have the time or energy to recruit and/or direct volunteers,” said Tavia Danch, Clean Ocean Action Education Coordinator. “Clean Ocean Action is organizing the day of service ‘For the Shore’ to streamline the process of connecting people with projects.”

Starting Saturday, December 8, COA organized the first state-wide “waves of action” days where COA’s network of organizations, businesses, citizens and municipalities from Cape May to Montauk - along the Jersey Shore and the South Shore of Long Island - are identifying and implementing projects that are needed within coastal communities.

Clean Ocean Action has already organized many projects throughout Jersey Shore towns for the first Wave of Action on Saturday, December 8 including, Sea Bright, Long Branch, Toms River, Seaside Park, Atlantic City, and Cape May.  Projects are also sprouting up across New York from Jones Beach to Hampton Bays. 

Saturday, December 8 is the first Wave of Action to help with the initial recovery from the devastation caused by Sandy, but there will is a long journey forward to rebuild.  With this in mind, Clean Ocean Action will continue long-term Waves of Action in the future to help implement a vision of sustainability—restoring better, greener, and bluer coasts.

Sign up to volunteer in Long Branch:

 Long Branch – Clean Water Gift Card & In-Kind Donation Drive

• 12 pm – 3 pm
• Gift-Drive! Anyone and Everyone Welcome!
• Affiliation: Clean Water Action/Clean Water Fund
• Location: 198 Brighton Avenue (upstairs from Healing Start), Long Branch, NJ
• Project Description: Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund’s Belmar office was hit hard by Hurricane Sandy. We are a non-profit organization that lost everything. Unfortunately, we are not eligible for flood insurance or other forms of assistance. We are badly in need of gift cards to supply stores (i.e. Target, Staples, etc.), as well as in-kind donations of office items including: pens, markers, highlighters, white board markers and erasers, office paper (white), calculators, clear tape & tape dispensers, envelopes (business-size and large manilla, folders and hanging file folders, staples & staplers, scissors, desk lamps, clipboards, cleaning supplies (non-toxic/green), small waste baskets, recycling bins with lids, desk top organizers/ filing units, large & medium sized white boards, cork board, white out, and binders.
• *In kind donations are tax deductible* 
• Notes: If you can’t make it on the 8th, but would like to donate, contact Jenny at njcwa@cleanwater.org
• Click HERE to RSVP for this Drive
  
  

Manahassett Creek Clean Up

• 8 am – 4 pm
• 15 Volunteers Needed
• Meet-up: Manahassett Creek at 108 Atlantic Ave., North Long Branch, NJ 07740
• Project Description: Remove debris, branches, garbage from Manahassett Creek
• Notes: Please bring work gloves, work boots, plywood, garbage bags, lunch
• Click HERE to sign up for this Project
  
  

Long Branch, NJ – Beach Clean-Up

• 10 am – 2 pm
• 100 Volunteers Needed
• Meet-Up: Ocean Ave. & Madison Ave. Access Point
• Project Description: Come out and help clean up the beach at Long Branch!
• Note: Volunteers should dress warmly, bring gloves, and wear heavy boots.
• Click HERE to sign up for this Project