This afternoon, as my kids and I were talking, I mentioned that it was World Water Day. My kids looked at me like they were waiting for me to say something more.... so, I finished with: "All life is dependent upon water. Water IS life. If there's anything worth celebrating, it is definitely Water."
Normally on World Water Day, I'd wax poetic about how awesome water is... no doubt it IS magic. And the magic of water extends beyond its sustaining all life. In some cases, water makes life more livable. does that even make sense? I guess, to me, it does because I'm thinking about my friends who run the non-profit Ocean Cure. Ocean Cure utilizes the ocean by doing charity surf camps for medically fragile youth and adults because they believe in the powerful emotional and healing properties of the ocean. It's true.
Water sustains us, but it also helps heal us.
Ocean Cure is currently in need of funding to purchase four WAVEJET battery powered surfboard systems to broaden the work they do with Life Rolls On/They Will Surf Again, Wounded Warriors, Little Pink Houses of Hope and many other medically fragile adults and children.
Back in 2010, months before I started this beach cleanup project, I became aware of a local nonprofit called Ocean Cure that did free charity surf camps for at risk youth and those who are medically fragile. Impressed by the idea, I (along with my husband) quickly signed up to volunteer. We didn't know the founders... we didn't know anyone else volunteering. But it was something that we felt so inspired by that we knew we wanted to support Ocean Cure in any way that we could.
A few months after our first volunteering experience with Ocean Cure, we became fast friends with the founder-- Kevin. We quickly learned that Kevin is the type of person who gives without expectation... and he gives so much of his time and energy to helping those who normally couldn't get in the water the opportunity to do so. AND... his nonprofit Ocean Cure does it for free.
Ocean Cure measures their success by the smiles they create. And let me tell you... they are definitely succeeding!
But, they don't just do free surf camps for those in need! They also participate in and organize beach and waterway cleanups! I love that Ocean Cure understands and acts on the knowledge that in order to enjoy our beaches and oceans, we need to keep them clean, protect them and nourish them! Because Ocean Cure encompasses philanthropy and environmentalism... they are definitely my favorite local nonprofit! If you'd like to volunteer, participate, donate or just learn more about Ocean Cure... please take the time to check out their website and go "like" them on Facebook.
I am, by every account, a lover of good quotes. I find that there is something s0 reassuring about connecting my thoughts and my words to something outside of myself. For me, they often serve as reminders to the simple connections we have with others in the world...
When my friend Kim-- a local artisan who makes handcrafted pieces from metal-- told me that she wanted to make me a personalized copper cuff and it could say whatever I wanted... my heart leapt with excitement. But then, being that I'm indecisive (and a procrastinator), it took me months before I could decide on the words that would be set in copper. My procrastination paid off and I'm happy that I waited to make the decision because the quote I chose is 100% me. Not normally a jewelry person (I usually only wear my ring), I'm finding having words to live by on my wrist just feels good... (Kim, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!)
Months ago, when Kim and I first talked about my bracelet, we discussed her designing a copper cuff that would support a local non-profit. As we were chatting about Ocean Cure prior to our Backyard Benefit Jam, Kim mentioned one of my favorite quotes:
"Individually we are one drop... together we are an ocean"
After going to a benefit concert back in early 2010, I came home from California excited to get involved with the local non-profit Ocean Cure. I didn't know it then, but after volunteering with Ocean Cure for Life Rolls On I would find myself connecting and forming friendships over our common bonds-- a love and respect for the ocean. We've watched over the past 2 years, as Ocean Cure consistently gives back to our community through charity surf camps, community events and beach/waterway cleanups. Not only do they help people stand up (on surfboards), they also stand up for our environment... and since their work is inexplicably tied to the ocean... they stand up for the health and safety of our oceans, waves and beaches. So on Saturday, we wanted to give back for all that Ocean Cure does for our community by throwing a Backyard Benefit Jam (aka fundraiser) for Ocean Cure.
But like I said, we wanted to have FUN too! So, we had our backyard set up with a 22' waterslide, a dunk tank and LIVE music by Bushwalla & Todd Carey.
Of course, keeping with my own personal commitments we made sure to create no trash by composting, recycling and using reusables. One thing that I set out to do with this party was to reuse glass jars that I had saved. So in lieu of disposable "red SOLO" cups, I cleaned over 100 glass jars to be used for sweet tea, homemade lemonade, beer or wine. When the fundraiser was over, I ran the jars through my dishwasher and they are currently tucked away in a closet to be used again!
So who exactly is Ocean Cure? Ocean Cure is a 501c3 non-profit that is dedicated to giving free surf lessons to medically fragile and at risk youth and adults. They believe in the powerful emotional and physical healing properties of the ocean and surfing. Having been on the sidelines watching their charity surf camps and volunteering for events such as Life Rolls On: They Will Surf Again... I can tell you that Ocean Cure changes lives.
And because we want to contribute to helping them change lives, we set out to have this fundraiser. It was an event that couldn't have been pulled off by my husband and myself alone. A community of people came together to help make it happen and we are extremely grateful to the outpouring of support received from our community-- near and far! Thanks to all of the support we received it was a huge success... not only were we able to raise over $1500 for Ocean Cure... we had loads of fun doing it! Yup, our first fundraiser was a huge success... we're so thankful to be part of such a giving community!
We can't wait to do it again next year!!
Left to right: Danielle, Kevin (Ocean Cure founder), Chris (Ocean Cure founding member), Todd Carey, my husband, Bushwalla, Brandon & me :)
For the past few weeks, I've been somewhat MIA. From taking unplanned trips to visit family to a broken computer... it feels like forever since I posted. fyi: Forever = 15 days ;) In my last post, I mentioned the awesome AWESOME day we had at Wrightsville Beach. Now... computer fixed and my feet firmly planted back in Wilmington... it's time to rewind to October 1!! :)
Just like last year, my husband and I volunteered with Ocean Cure for "Life Rolls On: They Will Surf Again". It was something that I decided I wanted to get involved with after attending a benefit concert in February 2010. During the concert, I saw "Wrightsville Beach" pop up on the screen and wondered why I had never heard about this organization. So... if you don't know anything about Life Rolls On (LRO)... it's a subsidiary of the Dana & Christopher Reeve Foundation that was founded by Jesse Billauer, a young surfer who was left quadriplegic after a wave pushed him head first into a shallow sandbar. His story is really really inspiring and motivating... I would highly recommend everyone watching "Jesse's Story."
I would also... tell anyone and everyone (my friends will vouch for it!)... that if you can ever volunteer for "They Will Surf Again"... you must. It's one of the most inspiring things to be a part of. Words can't begin to describe it and pictures can't capture how unbelievably amazing it is... you have to be there to feel the energy... to see the hope, happiness and witness the freedom.
"LRO is an avenue to hope, independence, freedom, happiness, inspiration, and teamwork. It is about bringing people together and changing lives one day, one program, and one person at a time. Each of LRO's amazing programs offers the opportunity for the physically disabled to open their minds, help them forget about their challenges and to be thankful for the opportunity to still be alive."
While my husband spent the day in the ocean with our friends and community helping get the participants surfing, I (much like last year) hung out on the beach. BUT... this year, I actually got to do a lot more!! This year, I not only volunteered with Ocean Cure for the LRO event... but I was also doing double duty by volunteering with Surfrider!
During the event, I had a container of cigarette butts on display for playing "Guess How Many"... and we-- Bonnie, Ginger, my kids and I-- constructed a giant footprint in the sand to help raise awareness to the amount of litter-- especially plastics-- picked up off our beach! From plastic water bottles to kids toys... all of the litter in the footprint (minus the containers of cigarettes we displayed) was picked up by my friends Ginger and John on their Monday morning turtle walks during nesting season. What they were able to do during their morning walks... is just more proof that with simple actions we DO make a difference.
Having the footprint on display during the event, had many advantages. The obvious is that people were interested, but what was also great about it is that kids came to borrow toys that were in the footprint. :)
Since I'm now volunteering with my local chapter of Surfrider, this is an awesome opportunity to plug Raptoberfest. Rap...what?! You ask. The whole month of October, Surfrider is dedicating to Rise Above Plastics (RAP)! ...AND you know I'm ALL about Rising Above Plastics. :)
So... without further ramblings....straight from Surfrider... Here are 10 easy ways to reduce your plastic footprint:
Stop using single-use plastic water bottles. In nearly all cases, the water out of your tap is just as safe – if not safer – than the water distributed in single-use plastic bottles. Instead, buy and use a reusable bottle and fill it with water.
Whenever possible, buy food in bulk. Buying food in bulk helps to reduce the total amount of packaging materials consumed.
Buy your music electronically. By purchasing your music electronically, you avoid the need to create plastic compact discs, plastic jewel cases, and cellophane wrapping.
Stop using plastic grocery bags. Each year over one trillion plastic bags are used worldwide. Because these bags are so light and thin, they are easily carried by the wind out into the environment. Instead, use reusable bags to get your groceries and other purchases home.
Say “NO” to pre-packaged single serving portions. These types of products are among the worst when it comes to excess packaging.
Reusable containers are rad! When it comes to lunch and leftovers, ditch the plastic bag and use reusable containers instead. Reusable containers are just as easy to use and far less harmful to the planet
Buy a reusable travel mug. Use a reusable travel mug or to-go cup for your coffee, tea and other beverage purchases. Think of all the lids (as well as the waxed paper cups) you’ll save.
Always look for alternative packaging. Many items such as soft drinks, detergent, cat litter, etc. come in alternate packaging (such as aluminum or cardboard) that can be more easily recycled than plastic.
Buy and sell secondhand. Clothing, toys, baby gear, furniture, household supplies, sporting goods and many other consumer items can often be found through secondhand sources, thereby reducing the amount of new plastic entering the waste stream.
Recycle! In those instances where you must use plastic, please make sure to recycle it.
Happy Raptoberfest... get your rethinking, reducing and reusing on. Join your local Chapter of Surfrider... get involved in an organization that makes you feel awesome because you're doing awesome. Do something that matters... and most importantly have fun. :)
Not long ago, my friend's husband mentioned that I might have gone overboard with the amount of bumper stickers that I have on my car. Funny that it all started a little over a year ago with just three and now I have 22! Ok... maybe that is a lot, but I can't seem help myself. So I keep adding flair to share with other drivers (or passer-bys) who I am because I totally like to express myself ;) (...and see people smile)
Yup, I'm the girl who says "F*@k Plastic"... loves the beach, believes in community and equality, supports local... and well, so much more. Hi! I'm Danielle.... you know me ;)
Hmmm... the left side is looking a little bare... don't ya think??!!
On January 16, 2010... I posted about how I was throwing some "ingeo plant-based" iTunes gift cards into my compost pile...hoping that in a few months I would've been able to post a photo of a shriveled up gift card. WELL... today as we were moving finished compost from our compost bin to our veggie garden, I saw this:
I was so happy and excited about the idea of my iTunes gift cards composting... but, unfortunately, over a year after I added three plant-based gift cards to our compost pile.... not much has changed. Back in December, I had found a card in the compost pile and had originally thought that some of the writing was gone... I was wrong.
What had happened is the outer plastic had separated from the solid white card...which (obviously) made me think that writing was gone... *sigh*... I can still read "ingeo plant-based card" as clear as ever... (such a bummer)
... maybe the cards will compost in a commercial composting facility?? I don't know. What I do know is that I'm going to keep sticking to requesting that our family and friends make donations to our favorite causes in lieu of gift cards (or gifts)...
Curious?? Some of our favorite causes and people we support are:
From Wednesday to Friday, we spent our time filming for the short film that has been inspired by my project... which I realized has turned out to be about "me." Hmmm... I'm always talking about what the power of one person can do... but even for me it's hard to wrap my head around all of this... I just do what I do... I don't think that I've done anything special... or amazing. I've only chosen to share my voice (thank you to everyone who chooses to listen)...and that's something that we can ALL do... no matter who we are, who we know, or where we're from....
On Friday, we went to Wrightsville Beach access 4 for a Paddle of Support... it was a nice way to end the week... at the beach with some old friends and new friends. The Paddle of Support was organized by Kevin of Ocean Cure. (Ocean Cure is up for a Pepsi Refresh Grant... please take the time to vote for them and share what they're doing).
Now that the film crew Destin, Brett and Ron are gone... so are the cameras... so is the media... and life is back to "normal".....
On Sunday, my husband decided that he wanted to go to Wrightsville Beach to go surfing. So while he was in the water our kids played in the sand and I did a 20 minute clean up at Access 36-- just me and my two hands.
I've seen my fair share of disposable coffee cups lately... it's cold... people want something hot to drink... I get it. What I don't get is how people just throw their trash on the ground.
It had been raining since Saturday morning... the skies were dark and dreary... but as usual at Wrightsville Beach... they were.... hmmm.... yeah... more than amazing....
Check out this balloon that I found on Wrightsville Beach. Balloons may be fun, but (unfortunately) balloons are meant to fly. But just because they are meant to fly doesn't mean that they'll fly forever. Nope. They eventually fall to land... or sea... and are serious threat to wildlife-- through ingestion and entanglement. :( Whether released accidentally or purposefully... a released balloon is a littered balloon. (Here's a video about a pygmy sperm whale that was rescued 17 years ago... her cause of illness is one that we can all control.)
Everything we do (or don't do) impacts the world we live in...
On October 19, a local surfer threw out a challenge on WBLiveSurf that if my Brita FilterForGood Film Project got 1000 votes by Friday morning he would, "....surf a wave while doing a headstand blind folded, feet tied together on a foam board..." Well... my project hit the 1000 vote mark (Thursday evening!!)... soooo... we headed out to Wrightsville Beach today to see Kevin of Indo Jax Surf and Kiteboarding School and Ocean Cure throw down!!!
SO... today when I saw David Cignotti walk up at Access 10 to see Kevin throw down... well... by this point I'm sure you get where I'm going... FULL circle ;) Here's my point in sharing all of this... had I not went to the LRO concert... I would've never emailed Kevin... I would've never volunteered for LRO... then I would've never emailed him my project (because his email wouldn't have been auto-added to my address book)......
Ripple effects... they happen all around us. Everything we do makes a difference.
I tell my friend Sara-- who I connected to because of The Daily Ocean--all the time that the best thing about having started all of this-- 20 minute collections, counting and tallying cigarette butts-- is connecting with a community of people who care about the same things.
"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The trouble makers. The round heads in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or verify them. But the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do." (love that!!!... thanks Ginger!!)-Jack Kerouac
Check out Kevin surf a wave while blindfolded, feet tied and in a headstand in very uncooperative surf conditions.... it was quick but SO freakin' cool!! (Special thanks to my new pal Surf for posting on wblivesurf and getting the conversation started that led to this...)
