Karen Leigh and Dale Unsderfer examine a lockbox found at Westfield Earth Day 2017. (WNG file photo)
WESTFIELD- The 7th annual Earth Day Cleanup will take place on Saturday, April 27th beginning at 8 a.m. at the Masonic Lodge on Broad St.. The yearly event is being sponsored by Mayor Brian Sullivan and will allow residents and others to take part in a cleanup of some of Westfield’s most littered areas.
Karen Leigh, Westfield’s Conservation Coordinator, said that each year she can expect about 150 to take part in the event. People will arrive and be put into groups to go to certain spots to pick up litter and trash.
“It seems like we get more people every year,” said Leigh,” I think a lot of it is that people who didn’t go see the work that was done, and they become excited to join up the next year.”
Leigh said that some businesses in Westfield will do a group outing to take part in the cleanup. Full Gospel Church, on Union Street, has pledged approximately 70 people to take place this year, according to Leigh.
Leigh said that, when it comes close to the day of the cleanup, she will go and seek out the more problem areas in Westfield when it comes to uncleanliness. There are some repeat offenders each year, like the train tracks, but she said she makes sure to get as many spots as is reasonable.
On arrival at the Masonic Lodge, volunteers will be given a light breakfast before they are sent out to their spots. Upon return, at around 1 p.m., there will be a lunch of hotdogs and hamburgers prepared at the Masonic Lodge. Leigh said that any children who participate will be kept with their parents and will be assigned away from the more hazardous locations such as the roadside and train tracks. Volunteers in at least those areas will be given a reflective vest.
Those who would like to volunteer are asked to get in contact with Leigh at 413-572-6281 or email her at [email protected]. Walk-ins will be accepted to, as Leigh said that there is usually enough to do for everyone.
“There is enough trash for everybody,” said Leigh.
