Volunteers Help New Jersey Beach Communities With Sandy Cleanup

Over 1000 volunteers helped beach communities affected by superstorm  Sandy from  in New Jersey and New York on Saturday.

Clean Ocean Action's "Waves Of Action" program sponsored projects from Cape May to Long Island that helped clean up parks, collect food and toys and clean & repair homes and buildings damaged by Sandy.

“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 lives back together and may not have the time or energy to recruit and/or direct volunteers,” said Tavia Danch, Clean Ocean Action Education Coordinator in a statement. “Clean Ocean Action is organizing the day of service ‘For the Shore’ to streamline the process of connecting people with projects.”

Communities noted their efforts on Saturday which in Toms River helped speed the opening of Cattus Island County Park in Toms River.

"(The park) will have a chance to reopen ahead of time because of the big push from volunteers through Waves of Action,” stated Joanna Marino, AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador and Cattus Island County Park Project Leader.
“Seeing so many volunteers coming together to reach out and help those in need is the driving force for us to continue assisting those in need during this most difficult time in their lives,” noted Doug Colfer, Waves of Action Volunteer in Middletown.

Clean Ocean Action's Facebook page was full of positive comments about the day. "Had a good time...met some nice folks," posted Duane Bowker. "Had an amazing time, with amazing finds....cleaned up Union Beach today and met some great people while sorting out the Fire Dept," posted Stacey Cuff Getchis.

Clean Ocean Action will continue the Waves of Action program in  2013 with continued debris clean ups, sustainable development plans, and projects to improve water quality.