A Drop in the Ocean: Localizing Support for National Tragedies

More often than not, devotion takes courage. Adolescent support and a nod from the local music scene doesn't hurt either.

Dedicated to giving back to the world in a brave and refreshing fashion, local organization A Drop in the Ocean is living by the mantra of Mother Theresa and the youth of your next door neighbors.

Formed this past July, A Drop in the Ocean coalition was orchestrated by both high school and college students, driven by the desire to assist with the clean up and recovery efforts in the midst of the recent devastating oil spill in the Gulf.

"We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean, but the ocean would be less because of that missing drop," Charles Coats said, founder of A Drop in the Ocean. "It is our mission to see this ideology spread across the world in the spirit of service. We truly believe that every effort, no matter how small in scale, is never insignificant."

Their goal is simple: raise $10,000 divided evenly among five different organizations working to help the Gulf heal from the disastrous effects of the spill. Among the organizations were the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, The National Audubon Society, Clean Gulf Associates, Gulf Coast Fund, and the Second Harvest of Greater New Orleans.

The allocation of funds focused on serving the various needs of wildlife, habitat and people directly affected by the spill, along with ongoing recovery efforts in the city of New Orleans itself.

"We chose to raise money for five separate organizations because we realized that the need for assistance was not only great, but it was broad, and covered a large scope of life throughout the region," Coats said.

And it seems that Coats has rallied the support of local youth through their own relevant interests. Osbourn Park senior Emily Opicka was asked through Charles to create a promotional video for A Drop in the Ocean.

"We met for the first time as we gathered the only minutes after my friend had asked me and being excited about the idea," Opicka said. "I agreed to help in any way possible and was out as early as the next day to start shooting."

Means of fundraising include wristbands, t-shirts, local benefit concerts, carwashes, shore clean-ups, raffles and much more. These ventures would not be possible without the activism and kindred spirit of today's young people.

'Thus far I've made the promotional video, have held up signs, participated in shows, fundraisers and all the other events A Drop in the Ocean had towards the end of the summer and loved every second of contributing," Opicka said.

Local shows were the biggest hit. In the past weeks, A Drop in the Ocean has not only raised thousands of dollars toward their goal, but are already working on long term projects for the future. It's hard to stop with this much momentum and positive dispositions.

"Charles is an amazing guy with probably not a selfish bone in his body," Opicka said of the organization's founder. "His entire life is helping others and he completely put his life on hold for the Gulf. He is a fun, outgoing guy and it was great working with him on this."