GREENE: GCHD working on Earth Day project
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By Carmen Ensinger
The Greene County Health Department (GCHD) is enlisting the aid of area schools, churches, organizations and individuals for a project to take place on Earth Day, April 22. The project is to clean the streets of Greene County of litter and debris.
“This will be a community effort to help clean up the county and we already have several groups getting involved in the effort,” GCHD Public Health Administrator Molly Peters said. “Right now, we are looking for volunteer coordinators to coordinate groups in the different areas. We already have the school districts on board, the Greenfield Revitalization Project and the Carrollton Square Initiative. Now they are seeking individuals to join their team and we are also looking for area church to join in as well.”
They are also looking for individuals to identify stretches of road that are in need of cleaning.
“If a community member knows of a section of a street or road or a location that has a lot of litter, we want to know that location so we can assign a group to that location,” Peters said. “We are planning this to be a community wide day where we all go out and make a difference together.”
Peters hopes that perhaps the one day of stewardship could lead to something bigger.
“It will be exciting to see what the community can do working together and how much we can actually impact the area in this one day,” she said. “Maybe this one day will lead to more – such as maybe adopting a road by a group, or perhaps more similar community events.”
Peters was asked what made her decide to do this specific activity for Earth Day.
“Well, we were looking for some kind of event that would have some kind of community impact and the environment is part of what the Health Department is focused on, especially ground water and ensuring that our areas are clean ultimately affects the ground water,” Peters said. “Plus, we thought this was something that could excite and unite the community and we feel excited about trying something new.”
The Health Department will provide the trash bags and gloves to the groups on the day of the event. Plus, Peters said if they get a sponsor, which they are currently looking for, they will also have t-shirts for those who take part in the event.
For those who would like to become a volunteer coordinator or who would like to be a member of a group, please call Ron Sprong at the Health Department at 217-942-6961, ext. 124.
