TheJournalNJ.com | MAY 2021 21
‘Pick It Up’ Embarks
on its Third Year
Pick It Up is a monthly grassroots cleanup effort that originated in
Red Bank on Earth Day 2019. Started by Red Bank-based creative
agency Splendor, the movement is now celebrating its three-year
anniversary. On April 22, the group ventured out on the streets on
of responsible consumption and the pollution caused primarily by single
use plastics. The event has grown dramatically, despite the challenges
of COVID-19. There are now active Pick It Up teams in multiple
towns around New Jersey, including Fair Haven and Sea Bright, among
others. Event founder Adam Taylor said, “I have long supported the efforts
of the Surfrider Foundation and Clean Ocean Action. And as we
have seen (and their research has proven), trash that originates further
‘upstream’ makes its way into inland waterways and eventually out to
the ocean. We’re trying to cut it off before it gets that far.”
Pick It Up started as a small effort among businesses in town,
where a large amount of trash is generated. The long-term goal of the
initiative is to branch out to every town in the country. Other groups
have begun to surface and contribute.
“Awareness is everything,” Taylor explained. “Most people go
about their lives not thinking twice about how much plastic they buy
and discard, let alone where it winds up. I promise you, if you spend a
day cleaning up with one of our teams, it will open your eyes.”
To that point, Fair Haven team leader Lizz Slavin reported, “Team
Fair Haven is made up of mostly school-aged children. One hour on
River Road yielded six large bags of trash. The crew is learning so much
about being conscientious citizens; it’s truly an outdoor classroom.”
Mary's Place by the Sea
Organizes Golf Outing
BY LORI DRAZ
Each May, we remember the women who are so important. Sadly,
many of those women have battled or are battling cancer. Since
2009, Mary's Place by the Sea in Ocean Grove has been a place
where women receiving treatment for cancer come to heal body, mind
and soul. The facility provides services that complement these women’s
medical treatment, including oncology massage, nutrition education,
individual counseling, Reiki, guided meditation, expressive writing
and yoga in a supportive space at the ocean’s edge. To date, the center
has hosted more than 11,000 women with cancer.
To keep the vital work going, Mary's Place by the Sea will be
at Jumping Brook Country Club. There is a 7:30 am shotgun start. All
golfers are welcome, and sponsorships are available.
Visit MarysPlaceByTheSea.org/swingforthesoul to register. Proceeds
will support women with cancer by providing them with integrative
services.
Mary’s Place by the Sea is located at 22 Main Ave. in Ocean Grove.
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