Sept. 28, 2009

Los Angeles, CA - LMU's campus is known for its breathtaking views off the bluff spanning from the Hollywood sign to the Pacific Ocean. The LMU mission of service and education of the whole person challenges us to stop and consider "life off the bluff" and how we can take action to better our community and world. In line with this mission of service and education of the whole person, this past weekend the LMU women's tennis team volunteered at the 25th annual International Coastal Cleanup in Playa del Rey, CA.

Organized by the Ocean Conservancy in partnership with Heal the Bay and the local coastal commissions, the annual International Coastal Cleanup day is the largest effort of its type. Spanning across the world from South Africa, Greece, Thailand, to the Hawaiian Islands, the Ocean Conservancy organizes volunteers on the third Saturday of every September each year to help clean our beaches. The Ocean Conservancy--start a sea of change--works to preserve our waters, beaches and coastal ecosystems by promoting awareness, active conservation and various volunteer efforts.

The LMU women's tennis team spent their Saturday participating in this effort helping to improve our local beach in Playa del Rey picking up trash and debris. With over 70 clean stations in LA county alone, the LMU women were part of a great effort to preserve our oceans. This year a record setting 14,038 volunteers collected over 300,413 pounds of trash and debris, a 65% increase from last years 181,000 pounds. Senior Bliss Nixon commented, "It was good to show the community that the women's tennis team here at LMU wants to contribute to the environment. A few hours on a Saturday with your team members helping marine life and being able to clean the beaches we love to use is the least we can do."