Clean Ocean Action's Wave of Actions Day in Atlantic City

Long-Term Region-Wide Hurricane Relief Program Begins Saturday, December 8, 2012

Atlantic Highlands, NJ – In response to the devastation caused by Superstorm 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 Atlantic City:

Gardner’s Basin Community Clean-up

• 12 pm – 3 pm
• 100 Volunteers Needed
• Meet-Up: Gardner’s Basin, 800 North New Hampshire Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
• Affiliation: Surfrider Foundation, South Jersey Chapter
• Project Description: A waterfront and community cleanup in the heart of north Atlantic City
• Note: Please dress for the weather and bring gloves to protect your hands!
• Click HERE to sign up for this Project

Atlantic City Boardwalk & Beach Clean-Up

• 10 am – 2 pm
• 100 Volunteers Needed
• Meet-Up: Public Access Point near the Rainforest Cafe - Missouri Avenue & Colombia Place
• Project Description: Volunteers will clean the devastated beaches and historic boardwalk in Atlantic City.
• Note: Volunteers will need to bring work gloves, wear work boots, and bring a lunch, if desired!
• Click HERE to sign up for this Project

Atlantic City Food Drive

• 10am – 3pm
• Food Drive! Anyone’s and Everyone’s Help Needed!
• Meet-Up: Community Food Bank of New Jersey - 6735 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
• Project Description: Sponsored by the ACUA, the Holiday Food Drive gives residents an easy and convenient way to help the needy while helping the environment. All canned goods collected through the Holiday Food Drive will be distributed through the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Southern Branch, which provides the donated food to more than 250 local charities for distribution to those less fortunate in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and southeastern Burlington Counties
• Note: Click here for more information on food-raising in Atlantic County, or call the Community Food Bank at (609) 383-8843 to ask what specific foods they need!

To sign up to volunteer, visit www.fortheshore.org or contact Clean Ocean Action at (732) 872-0111.