Children learn about recycling at Girard Library
By Danny restivo
Girard
During her visit to Girard Free Library, Holly Carine of the Geauga-Trumbull Solid Waste Management District had three simple words for children: Reduce, reuse, recycle.
Carine is an education specialist for the district, and she shared her message of a healthy environment with parents and children, as part of the library’s Dream Big summer program.
To emphasize her recycling message, Carine read “Just a Dream,” by Chris Van Allsburg. The children’s book tells the story of a young boy who dreams about a world that is environmentally unfriendly.
His dream takes him to famous places around the world, including the Grand Canyon, but because of pollution he is unable to enjoy the sights. After seeing how awful and dirty the world was, he awakes and decides to take action
Even before Carine read the story, some children already had heard the author’s message.
“I recycle newspapers, cans and bottles,” said Katie Durkin, 9, of Girard who attended Friday’s event with her sister Megan, 7.
Their father said the girls are very familiar with events at the library.
“The two girls come down here every day,” said Shawn Durkin.
Durkin, along with other parents in attendance, were a welcome sight for Carine.
“Parents hear the presentation as well, and hopefully they can be helpers around the house and watch what goes into the garbage,” she said.
After the story, Carine taught the children how to make a pillow they could keep — and dream on.
She led a game about recycling and waste management, asking children questions about the environment and awarding them with seeds they could plant at home.
For information about waste management in Geauga and Trumbull counties, visit the Geauga-Trumbull Solid Waste Management District website at startrecycling.com.