Friends of Padre: Big Shell Cleanup

Billy Sandifer from David Sikes' Caller Times video prior to the 19th Annual Big Shell Cleanup

I’ve pretty much been a loner all my life. Don’t really know why, it just seems to be my basic nature. Every day but Big Shell Beach Cleanup day, that is, for on beach cleanup day I become a real people person. It would be impossible not to be when I see all the wonderful volunteers selflessly giving up a Saturday and spending the day in conditions that typically vary from bad to horrible picking up trash from the beach and returning the beach to its natural pristine condition. Any number bring their children with them; leading by example and explaining to them the importance of keeping the great outdoors clean and healthy. We had more kids involved in the event this year than ever before. We didn’t keep a count of them but I’ll bet there were a minimum of 100 present.

All conditions were ideal; driving was great except for one dicey spot, weather, tides and temperatures all fell into line to make for that day you always hope for but never expect to actually get. Kinda’ scary. I kept thinking “this has got to be an ambush.” The board members of the Friends of Padre had set the parking lot up Friday afternoon and as volunteers arrived there was very little confusion and row after row of vehicles slid smoothly into pre-departure position. Although officially the event began at 8:00 a. m. we already had one full section headed down the beach before 8 a.m. Mr. Tony Alcoser of Ainsworth Trucking Co. left the Malaquite parking lot at 05:30 a. m. to ensure their rollagon and trailers would be in place when volunteers started picking up trash. The rollagon is slow moving and this additional time was required to guarantee they would be on location by 8 a. m. Big hats off to Tony for going above and beyond to make this event a success.

David Ainsworth Trucking Co. also provided water and ice chests for the entire event. Each section consisted of 35 people and was responsible for cleaning one predetermined mile of beach. If time was available after they completed their mile they proceeded north and helped other sections finish their areas and everyone continued to the North working sections of beach until 12 noon. We started at the 30 mile marker and worked north. The beach was cleaned up for 18 miles: from the 12 to the 30 mile. Those 18 miles beats the existing record by 4 miles. We had a total of 700 volunteers, beating the all time record of 540 people by a whopping 160 people. We picked up a total of 60 tons of trash. That’s not nearly a record but it is indicative of the fact that there was less trash in the area to pick up than in previous years. Unusually high winter tides covered some of the trash this winter but it still shows we are making good progress.

Being notably somewhat crusty I made a very determined attempt to greet and meet everyone I could. A couple of things that thrilled me as I walked through the crowds at the conclusion of the event was that over and over I kept hearing people talking about what they were going to do at NEXT year’s event. And how many people I heard talking about how they picked up trash ever time the go down the beach. Some go for no other reason than to enjoy this wondrous place and pick up trash. There were quite a few volunteers present that I had not seen during the past few events and it was like “old home” week. During the 1st. Big Shell Beach Cleanup Roland Hyatt, owner of “Woodstock Tree Surgeons” and his crew had spent Friday night camped at the 25 mile beach and started cleaning to the south in the morning. As we talked this year, Roland said, “See that man right there. He’s my son and was one year old the night we camped at the 25 mile. Wow? Am I old or what?

Mr. Lindsey Shows and Arnold Reagan had 33 people from CITGO in their group. Much appreciated guys.

Tuloso Midway had many students including their Navy Jr. ROTC group. Daniel Dain of Domino’s Pizza and the Corpus Christi Chapter of CCA fed everybody. Michael Laskowski Sr. and Jr. of Trac-work Inc. Railroad Maintenance of San Antonio furnished gloves for the volunteers. Scott and Brian McKinsey did a great job as our repair/rescue truck. PINS personnel furnished EMT personnel and did an awesome all around job and we appreciate it and them. We gained 3 new sponsors this year and are very grateful for them. They are the Texas State Aquarium, Value Bank and Security Service Federal Credit Union. We remain deeply grateful to the Ruth Parr Sparks Foundation and Mr. Leon McNinch, Sharkathon and Curtis Mai, Graf Plumbing Inc, HEB, Federal Steel, Spoon’r Lure Co., Inc. Coastal Bend Audubon Society, Steven and Donna Gregory and Ben Beaty. Without getting the word out this event would never happen and we are extremely appreciative to David Sikes and the Caller Times, Everett and Pam Johnson of Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine, the Salty Angler and KKTX News Radio.

So now we have had 6,600 volunteers remove 2,456,000 pounds of trash from the beaches of the Padre Island National Seashore. We don’t do this event for personal recognition or praise. We do it for ourselves and for you and for your children and future generations of children yet to come. Next event will be the last Saturday of February, 2017. Billy

Thanks to everyone who came out to make this a record-setting 21st Billy Sandifer Big Shell Beach Cleanup! We were dealt good weather and great attitudes, which allowed 700 volunteers to remove 60 tons of trash from 18 miles of PINS! We've received several comments on how well the cleanup went and we have to say it's because we have the best volunteers! Friends of Padre would also like to acknowledge our generous sponsors. They are each imperative to ensuring the cleanup is the perennial success that it has become. Thanks to the businesses, organizations, and individuals who go above and beyond! This year's sponsors included many long-time donors, as well as several first time sponsors. We hope to have made them all proud with our efforts. Cleanup sponsors included: Sharkathon, CCA, Ainsworth Trucking, Ruth Parr Sparks Foundation, Frank Edwards, Steve and Donna Gregory, Domino's, HEB, SmartShield, Ben Beaty, Gambler Specialties, Trac-Work, Inc., Texas State Aquarium, NuStar, ValueBank Texas, Graf Plumbing, Inc., Security Service Federal Credit Union, Federal Steel, Padre Island Moon, David Sikes and the Caller Times, Saltwater Angler, Coastal Bend Audubon Society, corpusfishing.com, extremecoast.com, and Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine. We hope you all had as much fun as we did and we hope you'll be back for the 22nd cleanup. If you weren't able to make it this year, we'd really like for you to help us grow this event by coming out next year.

The parking lot diagram below may be helpful for those who have never attended a cleanup, or for those who just can't remember back to last year. We will have staff on hand to help direct volunteers as well.

Due to all the cold, wind, and rain I’ve been more concerned about this cleanup than usual. Then about 2 weeks before the cleanup date, our long term forecast got worse. The night before the cleanup we were forecasted 50 degrees, 25 mph East winds and rain from Friday night through Sunday night, nonstop. What worried me worse were those East winds. East winds like that are almost a sure bet to push the tide to, and sometimes beyond, the sand dunes. After meeting with PINS personnel Thursday, we all decided if the National Weather Service came out with a coastal flood advisory we would cancel the event. If they didn’t, we’d have the cleanup as planned. Saturday morning we were stunned to arise to a light North wind and light drizzle. But we were still concerned about the forecasted high East winds. At Malaquite winds were light but tides were high and there were 13’ seas. We decided to play it on the side of prudence and sent our sections out in smaller groups than normal and each group had a radio. We sent the first group to the South with instructions to stop and turn around if the tide got too high. We got to the 22 mile beach before being forced to the North. Each group to the North stopped when the one at the 22 mile did and started picking up trash as they headed back. Based on the weather forecast it’s amazing that 400 volunteers showed up and stuck it out. We picked up 25 tons of trash. Not as much as in some other years, but the tide beat us. We’ve now removed 2,336,000 pounds of thrash.  The loyalty of our volunteers fascinates me. Good weather or bad weather, they just stand out there and fight it; as if it were a life or death battle while elsewhere others seem intent on tearing up everything they can. And of course there are our sponsors without whom this and similar events could not go on at all. Getting the word out is a big deal and we’d like to thank outdoor writer, David Sikes, and the Corpus Christi Caller Times, Everett and Pam Johnson of Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine, the Island Moon, Saltwater Angler as well as other publications who put in a good word for us. Thanks also to the board of Friends of Padre and all the coordinators and section leaders. I cannot say enough about the great folks at PINS NPS, Coastal Bend Audubon Society, Sharkathon, David Webb and Spooner Lures, Ben Beaty, Stephen and Donna Gregory, and Mr. David Ainsworth and the continued invaluable help of Ainsworth Trucking Company. Mr. Leon McNinch of the Ruth Parr Sparks Foundation, CCA Corpus Christi Chapter, Daniel Dain and Domino’s Pizza, H. E. B, as well as Gambler Graphics. A big thank you to Michael Laskowski Sr. and Jr. of Track Work Inc. Railroad Maintenance of San Antonio who again furnished volunteers with work gloves. Remember that the speed limit on PINS changed from 15 mph to 25 mph on March 1 and nesting turtles won’t be too long behind that. Take care of yourself and each other, be safe and have a good season. If we don’t leave any there won’t be any.   Billy Sandifer Photo Courtesy of NPS

Attention Volunteers!!! 2015 is almost here and that means the 20th Annual Billy Sandifer Big Shell Beach Cleanup is around the corner. This cleanup can not happen without the help of our volunteers and your help is needed again. See you there! The Big Shell Beach Cleanup will be held Saturday, 28 February, 2015. Volunteers will meet at Malaquite Pavilion on PINS and the event will commence at 8 a.m. To reach Malaquite Pavilion, stay on South Padre Island Drive (SPID) through Corpus Christi out onto North Padre Island where it becomes Park Road 22. Just keep driving till you come to the entry gate of PINS. Tell the attendant you are there to volunteer for the beach cleanup and you will not be charged admission. The second set of buildings is the Malaquite Pavilion and turn into the huge parking lot. It’s on the left side of Park Road 22. All volunteers will be back at the pavilion by 3 pm. Four wheel drive vehicles, trailers for hauling trash in and out of the work area, and working volunteers are needed. Walking volunteers (those arriving in two wheel drive vehicles) are welcome and will be afforded transportation to and from the work area. Those unable to pick up trash but having four wheel drive vehicles are most welcome to aid in hauling volunteers and trash. The event will not be rescheduled and will take place rain or shine. Snacks, water, and soft drinks will be available in the work area and refreshments will be available at Malaquite following the event. Long pants and sturdy foot wear are recommended. Don’t pick up broken glass or flammable items. Report all hazardous items to your section leaders. Volunteers will receive free event t-shirts. This is a worthy event and it’s only possible because of volunteer participation. Please come and join us. Thanks, Friends of Padre

Attention Volunteers!!! 2014 is here and that means the 2014 Billy Sandifer Big Shell Beach Cleanup is around the corner. This cleanup can not happen without the help of our volunteers and your help is needed again. See you there! The Big Shell Beach Cleanup will be held Saturday, 22 February, 2014. Volunteers will meet at Malaquite Pavilion on PINS and the event will commence at 7 a.m. To reach Malaquite Pavilion just stay on South Padre Island Drive (SPID) through Corpus Christi out onto North Padre Island where it becomes Park Road 22. Just keep driving till you come to the entry gate of PINS. Tell the attendant you are there to volunteer for the beach cleanup and you will not be charged admission. The second set of buildings is the Malaquite Pavilion and turn into the huge parking lot. It’s on the left side of Park Road 22. All volunteers will be back at the pavilion by 2 pm. Four wheel drive vehicles, trailers for hauling trash in and out of the work area, and working volunteers are needed. Walking volunteers (those arriving in two wheel drive vehicles) are welcome and will be afforded transportation to and from the work area. Those unable to pick up trash but having four wheel drive vehicles are most welcome to aid in hauling volunteers and trash. The event will not be rescheduled and will take place rain or shine. Snacks, water, and soft drinks will be available in the work area and refreshments will be available at Malaquite following the event. Long pants and sturdy foot wear are recommended. Don't pick up broken glass or flammable items. Report all hazardous items to your section leaders. Volunteers will receive event t-shirts. This is a worthy event and it's only possible because of volunteer participation. Please come and join us. Thanks, Friends of Padre PSA Beach Cleanup 2014 Frank Edwards KRYS KKTX

More details coming in late 2013 but here's a sneak peak at a trash hauling machine David Ainsworth Sr. will be bringing to the event.   http://friendsofpadre.com/ainsworth-trucking-takes-cleanup-to-another-level/#.UegroNLKRJk