Volunteers make clean sweep of Ventnor beach

Last Updated on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 02:40 pm Written by SHAUN SMITH Wednesday, October 24, 2012 02:18 pm

Rochelle Gimmillaro’s seventh-grade science students and past eighth-grade students spend Saturday morning cleaning their city’s beach. Pictured from left are eighth grade students Gianna Usewicz, Natalia Chin and Karina Cruz, Rochelle Gimmillario and seventh grade students, Steven Rubio, Monty Hills, Muharem Karpuzi, Jesse Cocozza, Mariah Ayala, Isaac Linsk, Carly Sykes, Christina Friend, Shanzida Alam and Akhsari Ahmed.

VENTNOR – P.J. Polinski said Saturday’s turnout was one of the best he has seen as beach captain for the Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweeps. More than 50 people turned out at Newport Avenue Saturday, Oct. 20 and spread out over the beach in Ventnor.

“It’s a gorgeous day for picking up trash,” said Polinksi, who has captained beach sweeps in his hometown of Ventnor for eight years.
It was a sentiment shared by his co-captain, Ventnor Educational Community Complex teacher Eric Ganter.
“It’s a great day to pick up and help clean up the beach and city,” Ganter said.
Among the participants was a large group of students from the VECC, many of whom were current or past students of science teacher Rochelle Gimmillaro. She said she offered her students extra credit, but some eighth-graders turned out on their own.
In Margate, assistant superintendent of public works Franz Adler joined Commissioner Brenda Taube for cleanups beginning at Granville Avenue.
In addition to residents from Ventnor, Margate and Longport, a group of more than a dozen people from Williamstown was walking the sands Saturday for the Kids Caring Club of Oak Knoll Elementary School in Monroe Township, which sends a group to Ventnor each year.
The Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps at Atlantic City High School also had students cleaning the beach. Cmdr. Susan Wolfe of Linwood said the effort would count toward the 12 hours of service needed for the students to receive a community service ribbon.
“We’re really happy to help out,” Wolfe said, adding that many of the students live in Ventnor and recognize the importance of keeping their city clean.
Polinski encouraged civic organizations to register online prior to participating in the Beach Sweeps, which occur every April and October. See www.cleanoceanaction.org and click on Beach Sweeps.

Franz Adler, the assistant superintendent of Margate Public Works, joins Margate volunteers Monica Coffey holding her daughter Elizabeth, 3, Ava Coffey, Ellie Taube, Claire Coffey, all 7, for the beach sweep at Granville Avenue.