Neither rain, nor hail, nor wind, nor bitter cold could deter the 31 volunteers who came to clean up Rockaway Beach the morning of March 2nd.  After heavy rains and high winds all night, the day started out sunny and fairly calm for our cleanup. At about 9:30am, just after we’d signed in most of our first volunteers, the skies suddenly opened up and dumped rain and hail all over us, drenching our sign-up sheets and supplies, and filling up the waiting buckets with water. Some of the volunteers came back and turned in what they had already picked up in that short time period, dodging hail as they did so.  One of them was in such a hurry they left their hat behind.

Other volunteers were not deterred and waited out the cloudburst, or accepted their fate and got wet.  When the sun came out 15 minutes later, they filled their pails and additional people who happened to be walking nearby signed up and also filled a pail, followed by some of PBC’s regulars. 

Our biggest group was from the YMSL, joined by several smaller groups from different schools. Steve, one of PBC’s regular volunteers, picked up a bumper crop of butts and also found a strange item that looks like jewelry, but it remains unknown what body part it is meant for. A group of students found some orange drumsticks that had been abandoned – which were promptly put to use, along with the usual assortment of fishing stuff, including metal weights, crab trap parts, and a rope with a float attached.  Our unusual find for the day consisted of an adult sized fuzzy stuffed hair band with a jaunty pink bow on it. 

We appreciate everyone who supports Pacific Beach Coalition’s work and educational programs. Thank you for helping us to protect our beautiful ocean and coastline by donating money, time, or both! Your dollars will go towards our ongoing educational efforts (such as the Naturalists program) and our beach cleanups and habitat restoration efforts along the coastal trail. Thank you so much for any contribution: big or small!