Mariposa Helps 'Heal the Bay'

As part of their fundraising mission this year, students and their families held a beach cleanup event to assist Heal the Bay, reports the organization's website.

The school donated $1,200 (out of more than $12,000 raised) from their 4^th Annual Beach Clean-A-Thon to Heal the Bay, said the site. 

In April, kindergarten classes cleaned Malibu Lagoon, while other grades cleaned Malibu Creek State Park to learn how the creek flows into the ocean and affects local oceans and beaches, reports Heal the Bay.

“We must remember to model community partnerships and philanthropy towards those causes we wish to see furthered,” said Principal Jeff Lough. “Our donation and partnership with Heal the Bay is an example of our commitment to this idea. Mariposa's donation will come back to our children tenfold when they grow up and enjoy the coastline that Heal the Bay works so relentlessly to protect."

According to Heal the Bay, when Mariposa sixth graders presented Heal the Bay Coastal Resources Director Sarah Sikich with the check on May 21 at their campus, she reminded the students that their contributions would pay dividends for all beach lovers. “The money you raised will go to keeping wildlife and the ocean healthy and clean,” she said.

Sikich also noted that the students will be supporting Heal the Bay’s beach cleanup programs, as well as work to bring underserved kids–some of whom have never been to the beach before–to the local Aquarium to learn about the ocean and the animals who live in Santa Monica Bay, reports the site.

Mariposa formed a new partnership with Heal the Bay this year to help support student conservation efforts and as part of the school’s educational components, said Heal the Bay. Students learn responsibility by participating in activities like the Beach Clean-A-Thon, which acts as both a fundraiser and educational event. The remainder of funds raised will go directly to programs, resources and services for Mariposa students, said the site.

According to the site, fundraising efforts by students included children sponsoring other children, start-up lemonade stands, kids’ video messages filmed at the beach and hand-written letters with ocean-themed art.

Mariposa’s 2013 Beach Clean-A-Thon will be held near Santa Monica Pier Aquarium location and will include an educational tour of marine learning center, reports the site.