Trash Travels
When my alarm rang at 6:30 a.m. this past Saturday (July 23), I immediately checked the Weather Channel to see if the forecast had miraculously changed. It had not. Already at 91 degrees (which “felt like 103”), I knew I was in for a long day.
For the second year in a row, the Beach House Challenge (BHC) Volunteer Day was arguably the hottest day of the summer to date. Last year, 11 BHC members braved a 100 degree plus day to work with Habitat for Humanity in Laurel, Delaware. On the drive home, I remember saying to myself, “Next year we have to do something that doesn’t risk heat exhaustion so that more people participate.” Wishful thinking.
In connection with the Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project this year turned out to be the same exact kind of day…HOT! As I parked on Queen Street, I saw my friend, and dedicated CAMP Rehoboth supporter, Josh Levie, standing with his coffee, ready to work. My immediate thought was, “At least there will be two of us.” You should have seen my reaction when I turned onto the boardwalk to see approximately 30 other volunteers also ready to get started.
Given the conditions and early morning hour, I couldn’t have been more pleased with the response. Fortunately, the event had also been promoted in local media and was open to the public. In addition to CAMP Rehoboth and Barefoot Wines, the event was co-sponsored by the International Gay and Lesbian Tourist Association (IGLTA), and the Surfrider Association.
After checking in, we set off into the sand, searching for trash. Having participated in two previous Beach Clean-Ups with my colleagues at Prudential Gallo Realtors, I was expecting the traditional items of cigarette butts, coffee stirrers, bottle caps, etc. Frequently voted one of the country’s cleanest beaches, we weren’t really expecting many interesting finds.
Seeing more trash in the dunes, and on the inner-side of the fencing, Josh and I decided to be rebels of sorts and venture in. We were definitely picking up more trash than in the open sand but found ourselves stepping on prickly briar-like balls of something natural, that evoked shouts of pain from each of us. I know, so butch.
Before long, something colorful caught my eye. I glanced down to see a lost and lonely child’s toy staring directly at me. Just a few inches in stature, it was as if she was pleading to be rescued. I quickly picked her up and proudly pointed her out to Josh…“Best find of the day!”
In classic Josh style, he responded with enthusiasm, naming her immediately. “Trash, we must name her Trash!” Bent over in laughter, I wholeheartedly agreed. Therein began the now four day old journey of our new friend, Trash. She accompanied us the remainder of the event and if you look closely, you may spot her in a CAMPshots photo.
Yes, this is likely juvenile, trivial, even laughable, to most, but for us and the other trash pickers who yearned for a fun, memorable, talk-of-the-day item, she quickly emerged as the group’s mascot. I, not surprisingly, was quick to claim her as my personal mascot, but was happy to share her with Josh, and our fellow clean-up comrades.
As part of her new-found family, Trash’s first social outing was the post clean-up “Barefoot Bubbly Breakfast” in the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center. The breakfast was a thank you to those who participated in the Beach Rescue Project.
On a personal note, special thanks to the Beach House members and all those who shed a few pounds via sweat and helped make the event such a success. Thanks also to Marieke Bianchi of Hunter Public Relations and Jerime Black of Barefoot Wines. Albeit in overall great condition prior, we definitely left our Rehoboth beach cleaner than we found it.
As for Trash, she’s sitting on my desk now, watching me write about the symbolism she represents from a hot, productive, and wonderful morning in July, 2011. It may have been the sweltering heat, but she provided a source of amusement in an otherwise challenging day. Should you decide to participate in next year’s event, you’ll likely see her out there with us.
For that matter, you may see her just about anywhere around town. Since Saturday, she’s visited Purple Parrot, Hobo’s, Stingray, and the Blue Moon, singing along with Pamala Stanley. She’s a busy girl, trying to clean up the world one piece of trash at a time.
Should you see Trash in your travels, stop and thank her for leaving our beach and for becoming a symbol of friendship, volunteerism, environmental consciousness, and quite simply, FUN! Thanks, Trash.
Chris Beagle, a realtor in Rehoboth and former mortgage officer, serves on the Board of CAMP Rehoboth. Email Chris Beagle