 The event was organized by Pack 111 leaders Jason Schafer and Cathy
Sanders, with Sanders taking the lead in coordinating the event.
Schafer said they were a little disappointed in the turnout this
year but understood that school has just let out and families are on
vacation, plus the extremely hot temperatures on Saturday
contributed to the low numbers.
He also noted that next year, the sweep is being planned for
earlier in the year and will be marked as an all-Scout event.
Even though the numbers may have been lower than desired, the
work the kids did was definitely worthwhile. After the event was
over, Schafer said he believed that while they concentrated on a
smaller area, the kids actually picked up a lot more trash than
usual.
At the beginning of the day, Sanders said the downtown area would
be much of the focus of the group.
They began their day on the playground of Washington-Monroe
School. After a call to order and recitation of the Pledge of
Allegiance to the flag, they made their first stop of the day:
the playground where they were.
Kids and adults gathered up all kinds of trash at the school and
then moved on toward the Logan County Safety Complex. Other stops
included the areas around City Hall and the post office. They also
worked diligently around the courthouse square, picking up and
cleaning up the courthouse lawn as well as around the curbs.
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At noontime they met in Latham Park and enjoyed a cold lunch in
the shade before adjourning for the day.
Schafer said that this year, as in the past, several local
businesses donated items for the event, and one individual also made
a donation.
Thanks to the donors, the kids had doughnuts to start the day,
protective gloves to wear while working, bags for the collection of
trash, lots of cold drinks and ice to keep them hydrated while they
worked, and a large selection of sandwiches, cookies and more for
their noon meal.
Schafer said they were very appreciative of everyone who donated.
As he named them off, the donors were Beck's, Bonanza, Mario
Bonaparte, Dickson's Tacos and More, Dollar Tree, Eaton, Hardee's,
Jimmy John's, Kroger, McDonalds, Mel-O-Cream, Qik-n-EZ and Subway at
Walmart.
All the kids who participated will receive patches, and their
volunteer hours will be counted in the Boys Scouts of America
Journey of Excellence program.
[By NILA SMITH] |
