San Juan Capistrano, CA –Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) recognized Project3R as the 2022 Nonprofit of the Year for Senate District 36. Founded by Ryan Hickman, Project3R leads and organizes beach cleanup events across the Orange County community. Senator Bates issued the following statement:

“California is home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches and coastline. In Orange County alone there are roughly 42 miles of coastline – making the county a wonderful place to visit, but an even better place to call home.

Because of his unwavering dedication to keeping plastic pollution out of our oceans and landfills, Ryan is responsible for recycling over one and a half million cans and bottles. As a result, Ryan’s work has been recognized nationally and globally. Most recently, Ryan was selected as Reader’s Digest 2020 List of Kids of the Decade Changing the World and was a top finalist for TIME Magazine’s KID OF THE YEAR Award.

Both Ryan and Project3R’s cleanup efforts will have a lasting impact on the 36^th Senate District which is why I am proud to recognize them as this year’s Nonprofit of the Year.”

Each year, the members of the State Assembly and Senate honor a Nonprofit of the Year for their district. The nonprofit of the year award brings attention and recognition to outstanding nonprofits. Together, the selected nonprofits illustrate the remarkable diversity and vibrancy of California’s nonprofit community. Big and small, they each touch the lives of countless Californians across the state.