Community members and students alike came together to clean up along the streets of Bath and Richfield to celebrate Earth Day.

Community Project Pride Coordinator Dana Singer and her daughter Alexandra originated the event which started in 2004. The idea behind the event was that if young people (and their parents) learn to not throw litter out car windows this would cause a huge reduction in the trash build-up along our roads over time. Singer explained how the event came about.

“My daughter came up with the concept as part of her RMS 6th grade science class Earth Day project in 2003. She was so disappointed so few people volunteered at Bath’s annual clean up; she felt that if the students celebrated Earth Day, our township would look like we cared. . . .  My husband and I got involved because you can’t let your kids grow up thinking people don’t take pride in their community. In 2004, she presented the idea to Bath Township and it was approved. Bath Township partnered with Richfield Village and Richfield Township to cover the Revere Community,” Singer said.

Singer further shared the goals of the project, as roughly 500 people of all ages participate every year.

“Project Pride’s priority is to clean up 112 lane miles in Bath and 60 in Richfield in 3 hours. Every year we fill a 30-yard dumpster in Bath alone…that’s about the volume of a school bus!  Richfield offers an electronic recycling and paper shredding each year,” Singer said.

Senior Dalaney Mier has always had a love for the environment and has participated in project pride since 4th grade, acting as a student ambassador sophomore year. Mier explained how she got involved with the community project and how this interest has shaped her future.

“We are family friends with Singer and since I have always had a love for the environment, I [have decided to] major in environmental science at Oregon State University,” Mier said.

Senior Jack Schloss also helped with event preparations by assigning groups of students to roads, setting up at the school the day of the event, and transporting students to their routes. Schloss, who enjoys the earth-friendly event, elaborates on his favorite part of the event.

“[I love] getting to see the entire community come together to help clean the community,” Schloss said.