HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA – On August 10, 2024, Orange County Coastkeeper (Coastkeeper) partnered with State Senator Dave Min for a Huntington Beach trash cleanup, celebrating the organization’s status as a 2024 California Nonprofit of the Year.
The cleanup started with a short presentation, where Senator Min presented a framed California Nonprofit of the Year award to Coastkeeper’s founder, Garry Brown. After the event kickoff, 277 volunteers scattered across Huntington State Beach searching for marine debris. In just two hours, the group removed 204 pounds of trash, preventing it from polluting the ocean.
“A community-powered beach cleanup feels like the perfect way to celebrate this achievement,” said Garry Brown, founder and president of Orange County Coastkeeper. “After all, beautiful days at the beach, surrounded by friends and family, is what inspired us to start OC Coastkeeper over 25 years ago.”
The California Nonprofit of the Year initiative allows each California state legislator to recognize a nonprofit organization doing outstanding work in their district. Coastkeeper was selected by Senator Min, who represents Orange County’s 37th State Senate District. Over the past four years, Senator Min and Coastkeeper have teamed up on various legislative endeavors and events, united by their shared commitment to protecting Orange County’s waters and coastline.
“OC Coastkeeper is a powerhouse for good and has been protecting our coast for decades. I’m thrilled to celebrate their work and name them as my 2024 Nonprofit of the Year,” Senator Min said. “It is fitting that we are celebrating this award with a day of action and service to Orange County’s vibrant coastline. I am so proud to honor the impact Coastkeeper has made in our community, and I hope today inspires others to embrace Coastkeeper’s mission of advocacy and environmental stewardship.”
Coastkeeper hosts regular trash cleanups in Huntington Beach, San Clemente, and Costa Mesa. In 2024, the environmental organization has removed over 7,000 pounds of trash from Orange County’s waterways and beaches.
