Volunteers head to Jersey Shore this weekend to clean up

After Hurricane Sandy decimated parts of the Jersey Shore, Shannon Caulfield knew she needed to help.  So the Sea Isle native called some volunteer organizations, but they were inundated with requests and were too busy to talk.  They said they’d get back to her.

 

 

“I don’t have a lot of patience,” she said, “so I just decided to do it on my own.”

 

Caulfield started a Facebook group to gather volunteers to ride to shore points and clean up debris.  She also started a Twitter account: @-clean-our-beaches.  She’s connected with about 1,000 people and organizations — some from far away, and some pretty well known.

 

“I had someone from Massachusetts get in touch with me saying they want to help out,” she said.  “The NHL New Jersey Devils, the hockey team, they got in contact with me and are working hand in hand with me as well. So I have a lot of people on my side, a lot of help.”

 

Hey, it’s not like the Devils have anything better to do.

 

Caulfield will travel to Ocean City first this weekend, then Sea Isle.  She expects at least 150 volunteers to show up as well. 

 

“We’ll go down every weekend as long as we’re needed, so hopefully the winter isn’t too harsh on us, and we can  … make a lot of progress,” says Caulfield.

 

She’s also hoping to partner with corporations like Lowe’s and Home Depot to get donated supplies.

 

You can find out more about the group here.