Operation SPLASH rescues 1,000,000 pounds of garbage, releases documentary

12 minute film documents non-profit's 22-year fight against Long Island south shore waterway pollution

FREEPORT, N.Y., Oct. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On October 27, Operation S.P.L.A.S.H. (Stop Polluting Littering and Save Harbors) will host the first screening of the short documentary "Standing Against the Tide, the Story of Operation SPLASH." Film to debut at 8 p.m. at the old Freeport Museum, 202 Woodcleft Avenue in Freeport, NY 11520. This film highlights just one of the many environmental accomplishments of this all-volunteer organization.

Started in 1990 by one person collecting garbage along the Freeport canal where she lived, Operation SPLASH has grown to more than 2,500 members and seven boats along Long Island's south shore. Captains and crews make daily patrols from East Rockaway to Babylon from March through November, picking up garbage and litter that flows to the bay from street storm drains. This spring, the collected total surpassed 1,000,000 pounds. To celebrate this event, Hofstra University student filmmakers interviewed Operation SPLASH board members and volunteers to document the 22 year struggle.

The film was written, produced, directed and edited by Hofstra students Corey Protin and Alexandra Faul. A preview of the film can be seen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsOQUXOv7fc "Working on this project has opened my eyes to Long Island's large environmental issues which every resident should know about," said Alexandra Faul. Both students will be graduating this May with Bachelor degrees in video, TV, and film.

Rob Weltner, president of Operation SPLASH, said "We're very fortunate to have so many selfless, hard-working volunteers in Operation SPLASH. And for their efforts to be captured in this wonderful film by Corey and Alexandra reminds us all that there are good people doing great things for our environment."

Operation SPLASH scored another win for the environment this summer when the Jones Beach Sewage Treatment Plant's outflow pipe was diverted from the bay to the ocean. Mr. Weltner has been working on this 2.5-million-gallons-of-sewage-a-day project for the past 11 years. Next target is the Bay Park plant which dumps more than 60 million gallons of sewage into the bay every day.

About Operation SPLASH
Founded in 1990, Operation SPLASH is a 2,500 member, grassroots, all-volunteer, 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of Long Island's South Shore waterways. 516- 378-4770, www.operationsplash.org, [email protected]

Contact:
Mr. Robert Weltner
President
www.OperationSPLASH.org
Mobile: 516-378-4770
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Operation SPLASH