Surfrider Volunteers Tackle San Diego’s Post-Fourth of July Morning After Mess

MEDIA ADVISORY         MEDIA ADVISORY         MEDIA ADVISORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE 07/03/14

Contact: Haley Haggerstone
Chapter Manager, Surfrider Foundation San Diego County Chapter
E-Mail: haley@surfridersd.org
Phone: (619) 929-5350
Website: www.surfridersd.org

Surfrider Volunteers Tackle San Diego’s Post-Fourth of July Morning After Mess

WHEN: Saturday, July 5th from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

WHERE: Beach cleanups will be held at four locations: the Ocean Beach Pier, Belmont Park in Mission Beach, Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach and the Oceanside Pier. Media is asked to come to the Ocean Beach Pier site, as it has historically been one of the worst in terms of trash left behind.

WHAT: The Surfrider Foundation San Diego County Chapter is leading the annual Morning After Mess cleanup series to tackle the mess left by Fourth of July revelers. Beach-lovers of all ages are invited to join the organization’s efforts at one of four locations to restore our region’s beloved coastline. Bags and gloves will be provided, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own reusable bag, bucket or gloves to cut down on single-use plastic waste. Participants under the age of 18 will need a parent or legal guardian to sign for them. There is no need to pre-register. The first 40 volunteers at each location will get a Surfrider Foundation trucker hat. There will also be prizes drawn at each location including tickets to Jack Johnson and Dave Matthews Band, along with the grand prize of an Iron Cross surfboard, thanks to 91X.

VISUALS: Last year’s Morning After Mess saw a turnout of over 450 volunteers. Together, they removed 2,372 pounds of trash and 195 pounds of recycling from four beaches in only two hours. The trash included 764 plastic bags, 1,163 pieces of Styrofoam and 12,685 cigarette butts.

WHY: Without the amazing volunteer effort, thousands of pounds of trash could wash into the sea where it would add to the already critical pollution problem devastating the world’s oceans. San Diego County Chapter Manager, Haley Haggerstone, says “We’ve seen a significant decrease in the amount trash collected at our annual Morning After Mess since the drinking ban was put into effect in 2008, but there is still a lot of garbage left behind and we need volunteers to help.” The Surfrider Foundation is also working hard to stop the problem before it becomes the ‘Morning After Mess.’ Through successful campaigns like Rise Above Plastics and Hold Onto Your Butt, the organization uses education and community outreach to cut down on single-use plastics and cigarette butts before they reach the coast.

MORE: Visit https://sandiego.surfrider.org/help-us-tackle-the-morning-after-mess, or contact Chapter Manager, Haley Haggerstone at haley@surfridersd.org or (619) 929-5350.