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Students help clean up
By LINDA M. LINONIS
liberty
Jamaal Daniel, a junior at Liberty High School, volunteered to participate in the Great American Cleanup this weekend for a simple reason.
“When you have a nice environment, people think better of it and the people there. It just looks nicer,” the 17-year-old member of the Student Government Association said. “If people don’t care about it and blow it off, it looks bad for the community.”
Apparently, others have felt the same because the township effort is marking its 15th year in the cleanup. “It’s a long-running program,” said Jodi Stoyak, a township trustee, who stopped by the high school Wednesday to sign-up student volunteers for the project.
Students from the National Honor Society, Student Government Association and Tri-M, a national music honor society, are volunteering for the cleanup.
Jacob Schriner-Briggs, 17, and Victoria Ferry, 16, both said they were involved because it was “a good cause.” Jacob added he welcomed the opportunity to be involved in this community service to benefit the township.
Victoria said that she “wanted to take pride in the community, and every small thing helps.”
Mercedes Ferraro, a 17-year-old junior, and Preston Williams, a 16-year-old sophomore, said “helping out the community” was the reason they were involved.
Stoyak initiated the program as a township resident because she was disturbed by litter along the roads. “I just couldn’t take seeing it,” she said. “A clean community is one to be proud of. Litter says no one cares.”
John Young, Liberty High School principal, said he continues to be impressed by students who “volunteer for everything.”
“Community service helps make them well-rounded and a part of the community,” he said.
Young also said the students’ volunteerism is “parent-driven” because they emphasize its value.
June Smallwood, parks and special projects coordinator in the township, also is involved in the cleanup effort. She noted special attention is paid to the “entry points” of the township where there are welcome signs. “We want to have a nice appearance,” she said.
Smallwood said the volunteers will bag the litter and leave the bags along the roadways, where park employees will pick them up. Also participating in the cleanup will be Boy Scout Troop 42, which will concentrate on Logangate Road.
Stoyak said the volunteers follow a protocol to keep safe, but motorists should be aware that volunteers will be working along roads. Volunteers will wear orange vests and gloves.