Press Releases: EPCAMR Looking for Volunteers to Participate in Wyoming Valley Cleanups
Posted on Monday, 03 August 2009 (14:25:32) CDT by admin
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact Robert Hughes-EPCAMR Executive Director
or Leigh Ann Kemmerer Illegal Dump Site Cleanup Specialist for details
570-371-3522 or 570-371-3523
Wyoming Valley Watershed PRIDE (People Reaching Into Dumps Everyday) Upcoming Cleanup!
Volunteers Needed!
EPCAMR would like to continue its effort in cleaning up Northeastern PA’s illegal abandoned mine land dump sites and other trash-filled locations, and is looking for your help and community-wide organizations to participate! Within the next few months we will be seeking volunteers to join us in ridding Luzerne County’s Wyoming Valley, of trash, tires, garbage, household hazardous wastes, demolition debris, and other discarded items located at several illegal dump sites throughout the Wyoming Valley. The work will range from painting over graffiti filled walls with anti-graffiti paint, building community gardens, preserving the historic Avondale Mine Disaster location, to removing thousands of tires from old coal flats near the floodplain to mountaintop stripping pits located right alongside of township roads.
EPCAMR received a $16,000 grant from the PA Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Waste Management in April 2009 and is awaiting a fully executed contract before proceeding with work over the late Summer and into the early Fall 2009. In advance of the work beginning, EPCAMR would like to obtain volunteers (Church Groups, School Clubs, Scout Troops, Boys and Girls or any other community organization or resident that is interested in taking PRIDE in their community) to assist with cleanups. EPCAMR has partnered with dozens of local community groups to secure the funding to work on at least 5 locations throughout the Wyoming Valley.
Gloves and garbage bags are all provided by PA DOT. PA CleanWays has been a partner of EPCAMR’s over the years and has educational materials that we will be able to provide to community residents to prevent future dumping incidents from occurring. EPCAMR has a 12 year history of conducting community cleanups with volunteers throughout the Anthracite Region. EPCAMR’s relationships are strong with these community groups because the majority of the dumping that goes on in the heart of the Northern Anthracite Region is in their backyard, apathy is high, access to sites is unlimited, policing of the sites is virtually non-existent, and it is where there is a need to change the mindset of local folks that illegal dumping should not be tolerated.
Robert Hughes, EPCAMR Executive Director emphatically stated, “We don’t accept the mentality that it is alright to dump household wastes wherever you desire just because the landscape has been scarred once. We’re trying to teach our children that this is an unacceptable behavior and it is a quality of life issue for our residents, their community, their health, their childrens' future, and ultimately, the environment. EPCAMR would like to promote the PA CleanWays Adoption Program with local governments and community groups to establish additional signage to make dumpers more aware that people are going to become more vigilant and on their guard in the future.”
Come join us at a site near you! EPCAMR would really like to recruit additional volunteers for our Cleanups to increase our volunteer base within the Wyoming Valley for future restoration projects in other communities to build upon our earlier successes.
Become a volunteer with Leigh Ann Kemmerer, EPCAMR's Illegal Dump Site Cleanup Specialist who has assisted with the organization and coordination of this season's cleanups. It is unbelievable the amount of work that EPCAMR has been able to get done in partnership with all of the volunteers in the Anthracite Region. EPCAMR has a hands-on approach to getting the job done and they work side by side with local residents and youth to actively take part in restoring PRIDE to many communities throughout the Wyoming Valley. EPCAMR is very well-established and respected by many community leaders.
Cleanups will be taking place at the following locations:
1. Pennsylvania Avenue & Dana Street in Wilkes-Barre, along the outside bend of the train tracks
2. Hick’s Creek illegal roadside dump along EPCAMR’s natural stream channel design project along Schooley Ave, Exeter Borough
3. Canal Street Floodplain Area behind the old Apex Auto in West Nanticoke
4. Two small illegal strip mine pits dump sites on Curry Hill and Smith Row in Plymouth Township
5. Avondale Mine Memorial site located just off of Route 11 along the future Susquehanna Warrior Trail, Plymouth Township
If you would like to offer a hand, contact Leigh Ann Kemmerer or Robert Hughes at 570-371-3522 to learn how to sign up and get notified of when the cleanups will occur. Dates have not been set just yet, but volunteers can expect to work for at least a 4 hour shift to assist with any of the cleanups. See details on www.orangewaternetwork.org or EPCAMR’s Facebook page for upcoming dates. Just search for EPCAMR on Facebook and become a fan.
EPCAMR is also registered with Disney's "Give a Day Get a Disney Day" program.
Give a Day Get a Disney Day Website
Enter our Zip Code (18706) and either Community or Animals and Environment in the Volunteer Opportunity Interest Area box to sign up for a free ticket to Disney!
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