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It's a dirty job, but somebody's gotta do it
Many students and adults from Heathwood Hall Episcopal School helped kick off the Great American Cleanup March 1, 2008. Their task, assigned by members of Keep America Beautiful, was to clear out trash, tires, and shopping carts in the part of Gills Creek that runs in front of K- Mart on Garner's Ferry Road. Several hours and about 35 bags of trash later, the students were covered in mud, but the creek was pristine. These young people even took time to sort out recyclables from the trash. Stan Petit, a seventh grader at Heathwood, said that he does not live near the creek and originally came out for the extra credit, but he plans to participate in further cleanup efforts because he would like to improve the area. Most of the students agreed it felt good to have a hand in making the Midlands nicer and that the cleanup was actually a lot of fun. Amanda St. John of DHEC said, "The Great American Cleanup continues until May 1, and Gills Creek is a major focal point because it has been a longstanding problem. Cleaning the creek is important for the humans and the animals living along its banks." Further upstream, another group worked to spruce up the section of the creek that runs between Gregg Park and Trenholm Plaza. This group included Gregg Park residents, Starbuck's partners, girl scouts from Eastminster Presbyterian, and assorted Forest Acres residents. Edens and Avant who own the shopping center provided a large dumpster from Waste Management while Holey Dough provided bagels, and Starbuck's provided coffee. One grateful citizen, Debbie Zaidman, was so moved by the community effort that she brought doughnuts and muffins to feed the workers. This part of the creek was in such bad shape that it required the help of a tractor. The dumpster was soon overflowing with bags of trash, and the tractor was still collecting sunken boats, shopping carts, and old tires. Volunteers and hipwaders continued to haul debris from the creek until early afternoon, and the results were quite impressive. By the time they were done, they had hauled out over 40 bags of trash, about 16 shopping carts, a multitude of old tires, and one small fiberglass boat. Young Patrick Cooper of Lugoff came out to help his dad who operated the tractor. He said he enjoyed working outside and helping out the community and would love to do it again sometime. Contact Heidi Johnson, www.keepthemidlandsbeautiful. com about future cleanups. Heathwood Hall volunteers Students Anna Sykes Tillman James Marjorie Anne Foster Magie Petit Katie McMullen Landon Hardy Aspasia Amiridis Sunaina Kapur Jenny Horton Joy Sasnett Will Till Margo Mullins Katarina Judge Brianna Hill Virginia Dodenhoff Kessie Kinosian Kevon Scott Stan Petit, Teachers Todd Beasly Mary Stuart Hardy Susan Till Mala Kapur Peyton Sasnett |
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