CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Though it didn’t seem quite like beach weather on this foggy Saturday morning, the Marines and sailors at Camp Pendleton made sure to keep their shores clean of trash and litter.
More than 100 Marines, sailors and family members volunteered to pick up trash along the sand at the Del Mar Beach Resort at Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 21.
“In spite of the weather and the fog, we’re thrilled with the turn-out,” said Liz Belding, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly area manager for Southern California.
The cleanup took place in light of Earth Day, April 22, and a general get-together for Marines, sailors and family members to think about the environment, she said.
Among the Marines who participated was Brig. Gen. Vincent Coglianese, commanding general of Marine Corps Installations West, who walked along the beach with his wife Mary.
“We’re approaching the summer time, so it’s a good deal,” Coglianese said. “We’re proud of our military installations and it’s a good event to teach young people about community service responsibilities.”
The Barefoot Wine & Bubbly supplied the volunteers with large garbage bags, plastic gloves and shirts. After the cleanup, they provided snacks and pizza to thank the volunteers.
“We do more than 25 beach cleanups across the country each year and this is the third year we’ve supported Camp Pendleton in doing a beach cleanup,” Belding said. “Despite how beautiful the beaches are, there is always something that can be done. If you pick up a few pieces you’re just helping the environment and keeping the beach a little bit nicer for the next person.”