On July 1, 2026, as Canada celebrated the 159th anniversary of Confederation, 48 volunteers ranging from age 3 to 80 gathered at Spanish Banks Beach Park in Vancouver. For the third consecutive year, community members brought their families and friends to mark the national holiday by caring for the local shoreline. Through the simple act of bending down to pick up litter, participants spent the morning giving back to their community while reflecting on environmental mindfulness.
Uniting generations in prayer and action
Located along English Bay, Spanish Banks Beach Park offers views of the North Shore Mountains and expansive tidal flats. Named after the historic 1792 meeting between British navigator George Vancouver and Spanish explorers, the park remains a favorite gathering spot for residents to walk, swim, and picnic. To ensure a smooth operation, organizers borrowed trash pickers and bags from local city authorities and prepared tables, chairs, and sound equipment ahead of time.
LEFT: Forty-eight volunteers gather at Spanish Banks Beach on July 1 to conduct a cleanup celebrating Canada Day. RIGHT: Before starting, volunteers gather by the shoreline to pray for peace, harmony, and a world free of disasters. | Photos: Wayne Wu
Gathering at 9:00 a.m., participants began with a devotional prayer for society and world peace. Volunteers Elizabeth Lui (羅美玲) and Nancy Lin (林美蘭) then led a sign language performance titled "On the Path of Tzu Chi," embodying the idea of individuals from different walks of life growing together and serving the community. Before handing out tools, lead coordinator Jacky Ho (何冠東) briefed the group on safety precautions.
LEFT: Elizabeth Lui and Nancy Lin lead volunteers in a sign language performance to unite good intentions. RIGHT: Lead coordinator Jacky Ho (left) reminds participants to prioritize safety before handing out cleanup tools. | Photos: Wayne Wu
Environmental care as a family legacy
Divided into four teams, volunteers swept the beach from east to west. Many families participated across multiple generations, using the outing as an opportunity to pass down values of environmental stewardship. Volunteer Hsiu-Lan Wang (王秀蘭) brought four family members, including her grandchildren.
My grandson was initially reluctant to go out, but I encouraged the children to come together so they can learn to protect the environment and love nature from an early age. — Hsiu-Lan Wang, Volunteer
LEFT: Divided into four groups, volunteers ranging from 3 to 80 years old sweep the beach from east to west. RIGHT: Maggie Young (second right) joins with five family members, praising the public's effort in keeping the beach clean. | Photos: Wayne Wu
Volunteer Maggie Young (楊美琴) attended with six family members, including her two daughters. For Young, the event coincided with her birthday. Her younger daughter, Ying-Si Chen (陳穎思), shared that coming together as a family to care for the environment was the most meaningful gift they could give her mother. Young also noted the clean condition of the park, observing how local residents take pride in maintaining shared public spaces.
LEFT: Hsiu-Lan Wang (left) brings her grandchildren to foster environmental care and respect for nature from a young age. RIGHT: Yueh-Li Huang (黃月理) (left) participates alongside five family members to protect the planet through practical action. | Photos: Wayne Wu
Volunteer Yueh-Li Huang (黃月理) similarly brought five family members. Her grandson, Yi-Ting Hsing (邢益庭), expressed his joy at taking active steps to care for the planet.
Youth inspiring future sustainability
Younger participants played an active role throughout the morning. Mei-Chien Hsu (許美茜), an international student at the nearby University of British Columbia (UBC) and member of the Tzu Chi Youth Association, frequently visits Spanish Banks for walks and was glad to take part in preserving the coast. Yu-Chou (宇宙), daughter of volunteer Anna Chen (陳桂蘭), noted that young people have a responsibility to take the initiative in environmental action and inspire others to protect the Earth.
The event wrapped up with a collective chant advocating for plant-based living and environmental protection: "Go Veggie, Love Earth!" Participants then shared home-cooked vegetarian lunches, enjoying community connection along the waterfront.
Celebrating national pride went beyond festivities for these volunteers. By combining a morning beach cleanup with plant-based living, participants demonstrated how small, practical acts of care can protect local ecosystems, strengthen community bonds, and inspire future generations.
Written by Connie Chen (陳妙玲)
