First ever Green Up aimed to benefit town's environment and residents

Date: 5/3/2010

May 3, 2010

By Courtney Llewellyn

Reminder Assistant Editor



LONGMEADOW - The event being planned for the weekend before Long Meddowe Days isn't just a clean up - it's a "green up."

The first ever Longmeadow Green Up is slated for May 15, starting at 9 a.m. Volunteers will gather that morning in Bliss Park and then be sent to different areas in town to plant trees and flowers, pick up litter and help beautify the town before Long Meddowe Days. When the day is done, the volunteers will be invited back to the park for a celebratory barbecue.

Derek Harmanli, a student at Longmeadow High School (LHS), said he's been assisting in the organization of the event from the start.

"I moved here six years ago from a suburb outside of Philadelphia and as soon as I stepped foot in town, I felt this sense of community. As corny as that sounds, it's the truth," Harmanli said. "Long Meddowe Days have held my best experiences. We wish to do the same with the Longmeadow Green Up and I think it is just going to be amazing."

Michael Clark, another organizer of the event, said he thought this was a different way to invest in his hometown.

"The event is not so much about the environment as it is about the community," he said. He added that he believes this may be the first event of its kind in Longmeadow.

"I believe in this event because I feel obligated to help protect our environment," Ethan Requardt, another co-founder and a student at LHS, said. "Not only will this event make Longmeadow 'greener,' but it will help create a sense of community in our town."

The organizers said they hope the Green Up will become an annual event.

"We can combine the community in one united event to green up our town," Harmanli stated. "Everyone who lives and works in town should support the event as it will benefit each and every person as well as bring us all together."

The Longmeadow Green Up currently has a fan page on Facebook. Business and individual donations of time, supplies and funds are still being accepted, and those interested in helping out can visit the fan page for more information.