Volunteer numbers down for Coastal Cleanup Day

Lolita Harper

NEWPORT BEACH -- Although many who volunteered to pick up trash in the

Back Bay area Saturday said they came to do something positive for their

country in light of recent tragedy, turnout was down from last year’s

Coastal Cleanup Day .

Organizers said about 800 attended the event, down from an expected

1,200, but chalked it up to bad timing.

“We’re pleased with that considering all that is happening in the

world,” said Joanette Willert, an Orange County park ranger .

Coastal Cleanup Day is a statewide event in which Newport Beach

volunteers have consistently boasted the highest attendance numbers and

trash collection in Southern California. Despite the drop in turnout,

officials said Newport volunteers are still expected to top the list.

People of all ages arrived bright and early, gathering trash bags and

gloves. After lining up at a station marked by an American flag,

volunteers loaded buses that transported them to various locations in the

Back Bay.

Soccer mom and Newport Beach resident Jane Tucci said the Tuesday

terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon not only

inspired her to come but allowed her some time in her busy schedule to

give back to the community.

“This is the first year we haven’t had a soccer game scheduled, so I

wanted to help out,” Tucci said.

Bob Hayk, 82, and his wife Pat, 79, said there wasn’t as much trash as

they expected but did find a lot of cigarette butts and beer bottles.

Despite the nature of the work, both welcomed the opportunity to help

out.

“Very great diversion to see everyone out here working together,” said

Pat Hayk.

“This is exactly what we needed after this week,” her husband said,

finishing her thought.

Newport Bay Naturalist Iris Timmons said the event is just as much

about public education as it is about cleanup. Volunteers who witness

firsthand the amount of trash that ends up in the bay will be able to

spread the message to not litter or dump things down storm drains.

“Everything you put down those drains ends up in our water.

Everything,” Timmons said.

Now in its 11th year in Newport Beach, the event was coordinated by

the county, Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends, and other environmental

organizations. Newport Beach police and fire departments were on hand, as

well as other community sponsors who provided water, coffee, fruit,

muffins and doughnuts.