O.C. Coastkeeper invites volunteers to beach cleanup and bring donations for government workers
January 23, 2019
Donations would support families affected by the current federal government shutdown.
HUNTINGTON BEACH—Orange County Coastkeeper and Bob Hope USO have partnered together to provide assistance to federal government workers affected by the current shutdown. Coastkeeper staff has been campaigning for beach cleanup volunteers to also bring donations to support those families who aren’t earning income because of the federal government shutdown.
The two-hour beach cleanup and donation drive at Huntington Beach State Beach on Jan. 26 will also double as a donation collection center.
“Orange County Coastkeeper and Bob Hope USO will host a two-hour beach cleanup [on Jan. 26] to remove trash brought to the beaches by recent rains and collect donations to support active duty Coast Guard members and their families, who are currently not getting paid,” O.C. Coastkeeper staff said in a released statement. “According to Bob Hope USO, those who want to bring donations in-person should consider: gift cards for grocery stores and gas stations; diapers, formula, baby wipes; toiletries.”
Bob Kurkjian, president of Bob Hope USO, said the Coast Guard plays an integral role in protecting local harbors and assisting boaters.
“Our Coast Guard members are doing 100 percent of their jobs protecting boaters, executing search and rescue operations, keeping our water ways safe, and yet they are receiving zero percent of their pay. We are grateful to Orange County Coastkeeper and the community for recognizing the emergency need that exists and supporting our Coast Guard during this time,” Kurkjian said.
The Coast Guard is one of five branches of the U.S. Armed Services and is the only branch to be housed within the Department of Homeland Security.
“The ongoing government shut down has resulted in active duty members of the Coast Guard protecting Orange County’s coastline serving without pay tosupport themselves and their families,” O.C. Coastkeeper staff said in a released statement. “The U.S. Coast Guard Base Los Angeles/Long Beach on Terminal Island provides services in direct support of the Coast Guard to Southern California.
