It all began after a morning of helping out with the Ocean Conservancy to clean up Peirce Island in Portsmouth, NH. I was living in York Beach for the Fall/Winter/Spring of 2003 - 2004. It was a Sunday afternoon when I walked the beach at Long Sands picking up what I then called trash. I found it difficult parting with the items that were not really trash but just forgotten things that needed a purpose. That first day I found a roll-up Adidas sun hat and a green shot gun shell. Little did I know that these two items would lead to an entire collection of toys and other items waiting to be discovered.
Each day I would carry two plastic bags to the beach and collect savable trash in one and real trash in the other. A dear friend of mine, after helping out and witnessing this collection building, told me that what I really had were treasures. With her help the collection of treasures grew and grew. When the time came to leave the beach, I had acquired 5 or 6 storage totes full of treasures. Their character, warmth and personalities begged to be played with and loved. By taking pictures of them on the beach, I am able to share with you the joy that these gifts from the Ocean have given to me. Every picture tells a story. Thank you for allowing these toys to do what they were meant for ~ make you smile! Sincerely, Joe.
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