Great Beach Clean Up

On July 22 at the Jones Beach Coast Guard Station, approximately 100 exchange students from Taiwan came down to the beach to lend a hand cleaning the beach and learning about our environment. The ages of the kids ranged from 10 to 16. With the support of Adelphi University the children learn about all the life that they saw in the water, air and beach. With temps in the 90's we all cleaned the beach (for a while) swam and then ate a wonderful picnic supplied by there chaperones. Operation SPLASH estimated 500 pounds of debris was removed from the shoreline. SPLASH also had some young volunteers helping w/ international relations. Nick Hartofelis said "I had a great time with Captain Don. I like to help clean the earth. I love going to the islands on the boats. I would definitely go again." Mike Weltner enjoyed showing the group his backyard (the Bay). Both boys spent the day talking and helping the visitors enjoy there stay on the beach. Captain Don believes the "Hands Across the Oceans" program is a wonderful way to promote better understanding and communication across cultural boundaries. All who attended gained more respect for the environment and realized that with communication (not so clear all the time) we are all on this planet for similar reasons. Many thanks to all those who put in the time to make this day a truly wonderful experience.

Captain Don
1st. VP and Environmental Educator