Every month we introduce you to another amazing Ocean Defenders Alliance (ODA) volunteer. This month, we’re delighted to share Jean Merrill’s story.
We think you’ll agree with us that Jean is a great example of someone who doesn’t just talk about problems; she rolls up her sleeves and gets to work solving them! You might want to share her story with your friends and family as an inspiration to get involved in a cause and volunteer to help make this world a better place.
Our Founder and President Kurt Lieber chimed in about Jean: “I had the pleasure of meeting Jean at a fundraising event for ODA.”
Here’s the photo of that evening, over five years ago!
Kurt continued, “When we were talking, I found out about her passion for the oceans. Her husband Dave is a scuba diver and even though Jean is not, she has just as much concern for the underwater ecosystem. In fact, she comes out on just about every beach and wetland cleanup we do in Southern California. And talk about dedication! The Merrills drive a long way to volunteer for clean oceans – 100 miles each way. That is true commitment and sacrifice, and on top of that, they invest in ODA financially as well. I can sum it up by saying, Jean is exceptionally motivated, a positive person to be around, and ODA is darn lucky to have her!”
Dear Reader, after you read our Q&A interview with Jean, be sure to look at the photo gallery below to watch her video and see photos of Jean that clearly illustrate her hardworking and pleasant nature! I think you’ll agree, we could all be a little more like Jean!
Q: What drew your attention to the ocean and when?
A: The ocean and the beach have always been a part of my growing up experience. As a young child in Pennsylvania, our parents would rent a summer beach house for a week on the Jersey shore. Then my family moved to California, and the beach and the ocean continued to be our favorite playground with our family and friends. My husband Dave and I instilled the love of the beach and ocean to our children and grandchildren.
Aren't they the cutest?!
Q: What type of volunteering have you done with ODA?
A: I don’t dive, but I participate in the majority of the coastal and harbor cleanups. Dave and I also support financially to ODA.
Q: What are your favorite ODA cleanups?
A: I really enjoy cleaning up two locations ODA targets frequently – Huntington Harbor and the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge. A clean up at the harbor stands out in my mind. One Saturday, a group of teenagers came down from La Canada to lend a helping hand. As we were picking up trash the students recognized and commented on fast food containers from several of their favorite places. I hoped this realization sparked meaningful conversations about the single use waste of fast-food industry and how they personally could reduce their impact.
Q: Any funny stories to share from an ODA cleanup?
A: Doing shore cleanups is rewarding and disheartening at the same time. It’s overwhelming to see the amount of trash littering our waterways and shores, yet we feel encouraged when we see the numbers of trash bags we’ve removed with our efforts. We have a small and devoted team of volunteers that we work with at these trash removal outings. To help pass the time, we often make jokes about the odd items we find, often clothing items, and we wonder how did it end up here? In December 2018, Dave found a fully wrapped, uncooked turkey roast. Really?
It really happened! Here's Dave with the turkey. ;-)
Q: Why do you like volunteering with ODA?
A: I get to work side-by-side with fellow caretakers of the Earth, doing our part to help keep the ocean healthy.
Q: As we mentioned, you and Dave volunteer at ODA together. Can you talk about the positives of volunteering together? Did one or the other start first with ODA or did you both “dive in” at the same time?
A. Dave and I are both retired and share a love for the sea. He loves diving and was excited to join the ODA team. He would come home from a dive with pictures, videos, and stories of traps, fishing nets, and other debris the team removed from the sea. I was inspired by his experiences and began volunteering on the shore cleanups. We enjoy our shared experiences working side-by-side on the cleanups and our wonderful friendships we have made with fellow volunteers.
Note from the editor: Yes, they are committed, even during the pandemic!
