A beach cleanup hosted by the Viking Volunteer Program was attended by many LBCC students and clubs at Rosie’s Dog Beach on Saturday, March 21.
Volunteers picked up trash from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., collecting enough trash to fill up three large trash bins.
During the cleanup, volunteers noted the community-building aspect that makes the event so enjoyable year after year.
“It’s good for getting to know one another, more bonding and also helping the beach and the environment, you can’t really go wrong with that,” LBCC International Student Club member Sean Louie said.
Some of the volunteers who have lived outside of the United States noted the stark contrast between the beaches in their home country and the ones in California.
“In my country (Ecuador) things are so different. In California, I believe that a lot of things are not clean enough and for someone who likes the beach, it’s really important,” LBCC student Nayeli Molina said.
Attendees who frequent the beach commented on the importance of keeping the beaches clean and safe for everyone.
“Most of us live in Long Beach. We come to these beaches. We want to make sure they’re clean and we’re able to… go in the water, go in the sand and not… get a cigarette butt or a cup,” Stephanie Nosuna, a member of the American Criminal Justice Association, said.
Sydney Haas, an environmental science major at LBCC, noted the growing need for these cleanups as waste continues to collect on our beaches.
“Environmental cleanups are really important because we’re generating more waste than ever nowadays,” said Haas said.
Viking Volunteer Program member Sergio Grimald explained how events like these instill the importance of volunteering in students.
“Our goal is always to try to give back, but also give students the opportunity to volunteer on campus, but also off campus,” Grimald said. “I guess our goal is for students, once they transfer or graduate, that they still want to give back to their communities.”
