Siesta Key participates in worldwide ocean awareness

Lelu’s Coffee partnered with Ocean Defender of Hawaii Saturday, June 8, on Siesta Key Public Beach to bring awareness about what is happening with the ocean.

Forty people joined hands on Siesta Key Beach at noon while people all across the world were doing the same to bless the ocean in a non-denominational way. Tourists and locals joined in while a blessing was read and a conch shell blown to symbolize the unity and preservation of the ocean.

Lelu’s Coffee owner Jennifer Smith submitted photographs of the blessing to the Ocean Defenders of Hawaii Facebook page where she was able to see the World Ocean Day Blessing from communities all across the world.

“This was more of a spiritual blessing,” Smith said. “Based on uniting spirits and to preserve the ocean.”