ORC founders July Vigneault (left) and Sandy Schmidt.
Operation Rich Coast (ORC) promotes and facilitates coastal clean-ups throughout Costa Rica and works to engage communities on a national level. Founded by two expats, Julie Vigneault and Sandy Schmidt, Operation Rich Coast energizes like-minded volunteers and organizes events with the single purpose of ridding Costa Rican beaches of as much trash as possible.
Cleaning up beach garbage not only protects our oceans and beautifies Costa Rica’s coastal playgrounds, the very act of organizing dozens to hundreds of people in one place with a common goal provides an opportunity to educate the local community, increase awareness of the global as well as local problem of littering, and motivates people to be mindful of their own habits when it comes to disposing of litter in their day-to-day lives. What’s more, Operation Rich Coast’s actions foster understanding and cooperation in the participating communities and individuals.
Operation Rich Coast believes in unity, creating a network of dedicated like-minded ambassadors one day at a time. The organization aims to promote the positive initiatives taken by individuals and businesses and offers guidance in organizing and facilitating clean-ups and events throughout the country.
