Hi, I’m Maddie, and I volunteer at Surfrider LA’s beach cleanups. I originally started looking for volunteer opportunities because I wanted to do something good for the environment, meet people who care about the same things, and just spend more time outside at the beach. Volunteering with Surfrider has let me do all three.
I’ve been volunteering for several months now, and I try to come to as many cleanups as I can. They’re fun, energizing, and eye-opening. It reminds me how much waste ends up in the ocean and how important it is to stop it at the source.
Sometimes I even go to the beach on my own just to pick up trash. It’s almost meditative, like a quiet way to give back. But what I really love is joining a group cleanup. You meet so many people, from locals to students to families, all coming together to protect the ocean.
For me, volunteering isn’t just about picking up trash; it’s about connecting to the ocean, to the environment, and to people who care. And if someone’s ever thinking about getting involved, I always tell them: just show up. You’ll make friends, make a difference, and leave feeling good about what you’ve done.
I’ve been volunteering for several months now, and I try to come to as many cleanups as I can. They’re fun, energizing, and eye-opening. It reminds me how much waste ends up in the ocean and how important it is to stop it at the source.
Sometimes I even go to the beach on my own just to pick up trash. It’s almost meditative, like a quiet way to give back. But what I really love is joining a group cleanup. You meet so many people, from locals to students to families, all coming together to protect the ocean.
For me, volunteering isn’t just about picking up trash; it’s about connecting to the ocean, to the environment, and to people who care. And if someone’s ever thinking about getting involved, I always tell them: just show up. You’ll make friends, make a difference, and leave feeling good about what you’ve done.