But the Newport resident
and year-round surfer, along with a group of local friends, was worried about
the future of Aquidneck Island’s beaches. Out of this concern, the organization Clean Ocean
Access was born.
For
the next seven years, McLaughlin, a core group of friends and a bevy of
volunteers became dedicated to preserving Aquidneck Island’s coast. Water quality
and access issues became focal points for the organization, so, they say,
future generation can continue to enjoy the ocean.
In
January of this year, after 17 enjoyable years at Hasbro and a recent battle
with cancer, McLaughlin decided it was time to focus more of his attention on
the work of the organization he co-founded. That meant becoming a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit, establishing a board of directors, writing bylaws and asking for
money.
After
132 coastal cleanups, including 47 this year, that have removed some 55,000
pounds of debris from Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth, Jamestown and Little
Compton; the creation of a volunteer network that has collected 3,500 weekly
water samples to monitor bacteria and nutrient levels in local waters; the
creation this year of a weekly seaweed sampling program; the monthly monitoring
of 14 public access points to the ocean; and helping to reopen long-closed King
Park Beach, many would argue Clean Ocean Access long ago began making a
difference.
The
change to an IRS-approved nonprofit was made with the goal of paying
McLaughlin, and perhaps a small staff in the future, for all the work required
to organize, coordinate and manage the organization’s many programs and
volunteers — nearly 4,100 people have helped Clean Ocean Access at least
once, according to McLaughlin.
The
organization, and its new seven-member board of directors, will make its first
official ask next month. Clean Ocean Access will host its inaugural fundraiser
Oct. 4 at Easton’s Beach Rotunda from 4-7 p.m. The catered event is free and
open to the public, will include kids’ activities, carousel rides, music, food
and drink, and will showcase the organization’s programs and the results
generated by its tireless work.
“We’ve
come a long way since our first public access issue in January 2006 and our
effort has become a coastal-inspired organization that cultivates friendships
within the community, with a unified desire of working together, taking good
care of the environment, and living healthy lives,” McLaughlin said. “We are
committed to protecting, preserving and maintaining the coastal properties
(public access, coastline cleanliness and water quality) such that the
human-ocean connection lasts forever and the quality of life improves for
everyone.”
Entering
its ninth year of service, Clean Ocean Access focuses on three primary programs
areas: eliminating marine debris from the Aquidneck Island shoreline (Clean), improving water quality (Ocean),
and working to protect, preserve and maintain shoreline access (Access). All of these core programs
include a broader outreach of youth development and public education.