The Isle of Palms is blessed with some extraordinary geography. One whole side of the island faces the Atlantic Ocean. That means its entire length is made up of sandy beach that’s open for all to enjoy.
The beauty of the Isle of Palms also means that it draws many people to enjoy its many charms. And with them, inevitably, comes litter in many forms, shapes and sizes.
Litter: No Little Problem
The City provides large barrel garbage cans where each access path meets the beach. But it’s amazing how much litter does NOT make it into the cans. And unfortunately, as the tides come in and go out again, most of it ends up in the ocean.
Among the debris: plastics, straws or stirrers, Styrofoam, drink cans, fishing gear and line, glass, balloons, building material, food wrappers, and by far the most common item: cigarette butts and filters.
How about this crazy stat: last year alone, more than 1,000 toys were discovered left behind on the Isle of Palms’ beach. Luckily they were collected - thus saving them from adding to the plastic pollution crisis in the world’s oceans.
Isle of Palms Cleanup Crew to the rescue…
Back in the summer of 2018, some caring IOP residents decided to organize regular beach cleanups, where anyone interested could gather and help pitch in to pick up trash. The good folks at the South Carolina Aquarium got involved, encouraging people to catalog what they were picking up. You could log in your findings the old school way, with a paper, pen and clipboard, or via the Litter Journal in their Citizen Science app.
Known as the Isle of Palms Cleanup Crew, it’s become quite popular – and worthwhile. The meeting place: the main walkover at Front Beach, on Mondays after busy weekends. During peak season, it takes place weekly. In the off season, it’s once or twice a month. It usually lasts about an hour (5:30-6:30). Participants are encouraged to gather for an after party at a local establishment for food and drink specials created just for them. It’s become a neat way to build community connections, and clean up our beloved beach at the same time.
The next gathering of the Isle of Palms Cleanup Crew will be Monday, May 20th. All are welcome, locals and visitors alike. Check them out on Facebook, where they post regularly.
photo credit: Isle of Palms Cleanup Crew Facebook Page
And our true hero… Beach Santa!
The Isle of Palms has its own personal angel who helps keep our lovely stretch of shoreline looking its best. His efforts are remarkable, commendable, and downright inspiring.
He is affectionately known as “Beach Santa.”
Keep an eye peeled, you can’t miss him walking down the sands of the IOP. With his bushy white beard, kind eyes, rosy cheeks and Kringle-esque physique, he does indeed look like Saint Nicholas. He often dresses in red and passes out candy canes to the kids.
And he gives everyone the gift of a clean beach, all year long.
Beach Santa’s real name is Howard Hogue. Howard is originally from upstate New York, then lived in Maryland for decades where he was a middle and high school teacher of Industrial Arts. He also worked in retail and ran a restaurant. In 2016 he retired and moved to the Lowcountry (Moncks Corner).
By the spring of 2017, he starting coming to the IOP beach regularly to pick up litter. He’d average three times a week, and sometimes as much as five or six times a week during the busy times of the year. He’d recycle the litter when possible, or dispose of it properly in the trash.
Starting in the summer of 2018, Howard started cataloging all the stuff he picked up, via the SC Aquarium’s Litter Journal in the Citizen Science app. He’s expanded his cleanup areas to include parks, roads and boat landings in North Charleston and Berkeley County.
And last month, he hit a major milestone.
photo credit: Isle of Palms Cleanup Crew Facebook Page
One million pieces of trash, and counting…
On April 29th, 2024, Howard officially picked up his 1,000,000th piece of litter - right here on the IOP, where he first began. And many of his fans were on hand to celebrate his accomplishment with a special plaque to commemorate the occasion. It read:
“Beach Santa’s March to 1 Million
Summer 2018 – Spring 2024
You did it!
Thank you,
Howard Hogue,
For protecting the environment from litter,
Making the world more beautiful, and
Inspiring many others.”
A while back, the Aquarium did a lovely Q&A with Beach Santa. They asked him several questions, including…
What three things would Beach Santa like all us beachgoers to know?
1) Please keep IOP beautiful, don’t litter.
2) The beach is not a trash can or an ash tray.
3) The only thing you should leave on the beach is your foot prints.
So if you happen to see Beach Santa, please give him a howdy and a thanks - for his caring heart, and his faithful hard work. May we all be more like him.
All best,
Lowcountry Lisa
your Isle of Palms vacation blogger