Monday, November 12, 2007

Volunteers clean up nearly a ton of garbage from Racine area

Submitted Article

Monday, November 12, 2007

RACINE - The Regional Family Resource Network (RFRN), along with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, coordinated a successful community clean-up project recently at the John Slack Park here.

Twenty-seven youth and adult volunteers worked for more than three hours on a sunny day to clear the park, river and riverbank of nearly one ton of waste, including 19 tires. Volunteers included the Boone County Volunteerism and Community Service Task Team of Regional Family Resource Network, Boy Scout Troop 285, Girl Scout Troop 2246, AmeriCorps members from the Van and Wharton Family Resource Centers - this was their Make a Difference Day project - and nine Sherman High School students, recruited by RFRN Board Member and Sherman High School Counselor Debbie Corrie.

The Volunteer of the Day was Sherman High School student Andrew Dickens, who went above and beyond the call of volunteerism to clear the river of tires and trash.

Several donors helped make the day a success. Silver donors (donations valued at $26 to $50) include Boone County Parks and Recreation and JoEddie's. Bronze donors (donations valued at $25) include the South Ridge Wal-Mart Store and Briscoe Restaurants, LLC.

These donations provided refreshments and food for the volunteers. The DEP provided gloves, litter pickers, bags and equipment to haul and carry out the trash, as well as T-shirts for volunteers.

This project was a success not because of any one person, but due to the collaboration of many individuals and organizations.