On Sunday, June 29th, I packed a couple beach towels, sunscreen, picnic goodies, water, and-oh-yes, my kids, Jack and Lucy, and headed to the Santa Monica beach. We were joining the Celebrity Centre’s “Way to Happiness Club” to do one of many beach clean-ups we do annually.

Using the book The Way to Happiness by humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard, this non-profit organization uses one of the 21 precepts to make this world a better place. The beach clean-up was demonstrating “Safeguard and Improve Your Environment.” There was an incredible turnout of about 35 kids. We were all given plastic trash bags and rubber gloves (for the gunk–yuck!) and proceeded to comb the beach for litter and trash.

This event was run by Rob Hoover who tosses in surfing lessons for anyone helping out! Jack and Lucy learned to “catch a wave” and “hang ten,” while Mom preferred to stay on shore. (Hey, somebody has to guard the brownies!)