Litter found a new home thanks to the SOLV’ers.

Stop Oregon Litter And Vandalism (SOLV) was founded over 40 years ago by then governor, Tom McCall. Starting small, it grew rapidly as an anti-litter organization. In 1984, the first statewide volunteer beach cleanup was organized. It has been going strong ever since.

Tigard High School Volunteers

So it was no wonder that my daughters and I encountered a large turnout volunteering for the Cannon Beach cleanup.

We met a group of enthusiastic high school students from our home town of Tigard. Their club is part of a dosomething.org and they have been organizing an annual beach cleanup trip for three years.

Sabin and Hein

Being our first time volunteering at a beach cleanup, I was especially pleased to meet fellow first time volunteers, Sabin and Hien. They had thought about volunteering for several years, but something or other always seemed to get in the way. This year they did it, braving a cold wind to boot.

We met a number of other people along the way.

Doug, from Seattle, spends several weeks a year in Oregon with his wife and was out picking up trash along with their dog Hailey. Naturally, my daughter Hayle asked about the spelling of the dog’s name.

Even non-SOLV’ers chipped in. Peter and Nancy came over with a piece of trash they had found. Living in New Brunswick, Canada they are on a Highway 101 vacation from Seattle to San Francisco and were very curious about Oregon and the cleanup. We talked for a long time, topics ranging from the novelty that all Oregon’s beaches are public to the comparably warm waters of the Atlantic at their home.

Vinnie, Hayle, Bob, Jenee, Thane, myself, Tessa, and Henry the 8th

Jenee and Bob organized the Cannon Beach cleanup. Having done it several years, the couple ran a smooth operation and had smiling faces for all the volunteers. Both were ecstatic to see so many parents bring their kids out to participate.

Tessa and Hayle, tired SOLV'ers

It was said many times throughout the day, it takes a community of people willing to volunteer their time to see that Oregon’s beaches stay clean. It takes organization, persistance and the strong backs of many.

Wherever humans go litter will follow. But thanks to the SOLV’ers, that litter will find it’s proper home.

Today’s time given to SOLV. My daughters and I became SOLV’ers at Cannon Beach, Oregon, part of the Great Oregon Beach Cleanup.