<p>My friends and I want to start a service project together. We would like to form beach clean-up groups and go to a different beach every weekend and pick up trash. How would colleges verify that we have done this? And how could we get sponsers to help pay for trashbags, gloves, etc?</p>
<p>You ask them. Seriously. You go to all the local stores in person (call first and ask to speak to the manager) - big and small. You tell them you’ll do your best to get publicity. Call the local papers - especially small weekly papers. Send out press releases. (Lots of examples on line.) Tell the store owners you’ll have signs at the beach when you are doing your projects listing who the donors are. In my experience you’ll get more yesses than nos. Another good way to get publicity is to invite a local bigwig (mayor, council person) to come to the first day and pick up the first piece of trash.</p>
<p>One way you could do this is to enlist the help of a favorite teacher to be your advisor. You would let this teacher in on your plans, ask for advice when needed, and keep track of your hours and give the teacher copies of your records. Then when it came time to apply for college, you’d have your verification.</p>
<p>As for sponsors - hit the pavement. First, though, think about people you may know who have businesses that might be willing to help out.
For items like trashbags, families might be willing to donate a few items. For your project, most of the effort will be in the actual clean-up work, as it seems a minimum of supplies are needed. Transportation to your locations might also be something you could ask families to help with.
Good luck… It sounds like this could be a lot of fun!</p>
<p>you might see if [url=<a href=“http://www.surfrider.org/]surfrider[/url”>http://www.surfrider.org/]surfrider[/url</a>] has an affliation in your area or start one-
also the local parks depts may appreciate your help- what ever organization that has jurisdiction</p>