Mission

Sea Hugger® inspires people to connect with and care for the marine environment by fostering stewardship through education and action, especially among the youth, to protect our oceans and ensure a sustainable future.

Mama Ocean needs your help—will you join our Community?

Grantee Winner

There are no plastic collectors and no infrastructure in many of South African and Mexican communities. Litter is dumped everywhere and unemployment is at 40%. We are happy to award our microgrant to Litter4Tokens in South Africa and Trash4Tokens in Mexico, so that this devastation is turning into action.

Participants of Litter4Tokens and Trash4Tokens collect bags of recyclable and non-recyclable items and bring them to their given collection point. Each bag is exchanged for one token, which can then be used to purchase basic needs items in the Litter4Tokens shops. This South Africa and Mexico-based NGO helps feed, clothe and employ the community while preventing plastic from entering the ocean’s ecosystem.

Litter4Tokens was launched in 2015 by Clare Swithenbank-Bowman at one school in Ballito, South Africa. It has since grown to another country, eight schools, 8,200 jobs have been created, over 129,600 people have been fed, and through our microgrant program, we plan to help Litter4Tokens expand to other cities in need in South Africa and North America. Your donations to Sea Hugger also make a global impact with our grantees!

learn more about t4T

Photos by: Leticia Cox

Since 2019, we have helped t4t & l4t:

Your donation sponsors meals and supports empowered communities

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OUR FOUNDER

Shell Cleave founded Sea Hugger in 2018 after years of seeing increased plastic pollution under the water, on the surface of the water, and on the beaches. She has guided Sea Hugger since day one with passion, tenacity and an unwavering love for the ocean. After a successful tech career and raising three daughters with her husband, Shell was able to shut down her business and pursue her passion - ensuring the ocean and sea creatures are safe and healthy. Shell has stepped away from Sea Hugger as she continues to deal with medical complications related to her cancer. Shell’s vision and impact are woven into everything we do as an organization. While she takes a step back, we are all working to keep her vision alive, for the health of our oceans, our communities and the planet.

Core Team

**Claire Lacy, Program Coordinator**
Claire is an advocate for the natural world and has spent most of her professional career as a wildlife biologist, working to preserve critical habitat and endangered species throughout California. This field has alerted her to the importance of listening to the rhythms of the seasons and minimizing our overall footprint. Together with Sea Hugger, she hopes to work within the community to lessen our dependence on plastics and educate the next generation about ways to live in harmony with all living creatures. She lives with her family in Montara, CA and spends her time gardening, exploring and chasing hot pink sunsets.

**Claire Jepsen, Creative Marketing Director**
San Clemente’s resident surfer girl with a passion for protecting our planet! With three years of experience working with environmental non-profits and an extensive background in digital marketing, Claire brings a wave of expertise and enthusiasm to every project. Catch her riding the waves or crafting killer campaigns to make a splash in the world!

And of course, we wouldn’t be Sea Hugger without our community of volunteers!

“Earth is an ocean planet. We cannot have a healthy planet, without healthy oceans. Will you join us?”

— Shell Cleave | Founder

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Officers

David Casentini, a Bay Area native, has lived in Half Moon Bay since 1988. After graduating from San Francisco State University, David began his career in 1981 with Pacific Gas and Electric Company. After holding various customer service positions a… — David Casentini, a Bay Area native, has lived in Half Moon Bay since 1988. After graduating from San Francisco State University, David began his career in 1981 with Pacific Gas and Electric Company. After holding various customer service positions at the utility, he spent most of his career there in various energy efficiency management positions before transferring to the utility’s deregulated utility company in the early 2000’s. After four years working as an energy efficiency consultant, David joined his wife’s energy efficiency consulting company and eventually they ventured off with two other partners to build their own energy efficiency consulting firm, Resource Solutions Group. After they successfully grew and sold the company, David left his career behind him in 2014 and became a stay-at-home dad. At this time David also joined the board of the Cabrillo Education Foundation and focused his remaining volunteer time on student and community events and activities.

David and Lauren have two grown children, and two teenage girls. In addition, they have four grandchildren. David and his family split their time between Half Moon Bay and Truckee and love and appreciate the beauty of both. David enjoys writing, singing and playing the guitar, running, tennis and mountain biking.

**Karin Odasz**
Karin is retired from a career in retail finance, and has been volunteering for Sea Hugger since fall of 2021. She has lived in El Granada for 25 years, and raised two daughters on the Coast. She has always been passionate about protecting our beautiful natural habitat, the ocean, and all of the precious creatures that live in the water. When not volunteering for Sea Hugger, she volunteers for other organizations caring for animals and delivering meals to seniors. She also enjoys traveling, golf, yoga, hiking, and biking.

Jeremy Brown is the Founder of Social Impact World, a global community of social impact leaders. He also hosts the Behind the Impact podcast where he explores how companies use their people, products, and capital for good. With a decade of experience in the tech industry and almost just as much time in social impact, Jeremy has spent most of his career helping startups grow while encouraging them to contribute meaningfully to society.

Ambassadors

Emma Stone

Jason, Joana, Jade, & Arrow Stark

Matais Laranjinha

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