On September 29 a group of students led by Head of Community Service Board John Lee ’13 and sustainability coordinator Jeff Jewett took part in the multi-state Connecticut River Cleanup Initiative. “My group removed more than a dozen vehicle fuel tanks from the woods, a parking meter that washed down in a flood, and lots of litter,” Mr. Jewett said.
“We found a mattress, box spring and a TV,” Destine James ’16 added. Math teacher and event chaperone Andrew Freda said that despite the muggy weather, “overall morale was fantastic – much better than in some of the 70-minute math classes I teach.”
Christie Jok ’16, who attended the event with her reserve volleyball team, admitted, “I wasn’t too keen on the idea at first, but in the end, it was a very rewarding experience.”
Lee had a feeling of personal fulfillment at the end. “I felt good seeing the fruits of our work on the bed of the pickup truck, filled with mattresses, televisions and broken glass.”
Mr. Jewett predicted a domino effect of future acts of service after an experience like the cleanup. “Once someone takes time out to care for a place, they are more likely to care for it in the future and encourage their friends to care for it.”
After a successful day on the banks of the Connecticut, the Community Service Board plans to sponsor more environmentally-related service projects in the future.