Residents team up to clean up city

By Lori O'Brien

Correspondent

SPRINGFIELD City residents involved in Citizens for a Clean Springfield are on a mission to one day become an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful (KAB).

"We feel Springfield is at a turning point and an initiative such as a KAB affiliation would provide an umbrella for the various segments of the community to come together and maximize efforts to address the problem of litter in our community," said Barbara Footit during an interview with Reminder Publications.

As an affiliate of KAB, the city would have access to successful programs in cities across the country, as well as educational resources geared at teaching good citizenship through caring for the community environment, according to Footit.

A one-time fee of $4,600 is needed for the affiliation and members are working diligently this year to raise funds to make that happen.

The organization came together more than 18 months ago with a group of devoted city residents who "love the city and wanted to help in some way during these difficult times," said Footit. "The group decided that although each neighborhood had its unique problems, litter was a city-wide issue and one that we thought we could address and perhaps make a difference."

Charlie Contant serves as the organization's president, assisted by Footit as clerk and Colleen Moynihan as treasurer.

"Our mission is to encourage and partner with individuals to take greater responsibility for their community," added Footit.

Members have conducted two cleanups in the past year to raise awareness of its efforts. A fall cleanup took place at four city schools Central, Chestnut, JFK and Brookings and involved more than 100 volunteers. This spring, the group recruited Kiley students and their families, as well as staff, to participate in an Earth Day cleanup.

"Because we see engaging the children of the city in taking responsibility for their environment as critical, each cleanup has involved city schools," said Footit.

Footit added that the group has worked to heighten awareness of current city ordinances that address the issues of litter and dumping in Springfield.

"We designed an ordinance which we have distributed through neighborhood organizations," she said, adding "we support the proposal in front of the City Council to increase fines for littering and dumping."

Future projects include a partnership with the Liberty School to beautify the courtyard, as well as a fall clean-a-thon which will help raise money and clean up the city at the same time.

Currently, members have launched an anti-litter poster competition in partnership with the business community, city schools and libraries. One overall winning entry will be professionally printed and on display during July at businesses across the city. All entries will be on display during July at the Eastfield Mall. The competition is open to Springfield students in grades 1-8 and the deadline for submissions is June 1.

The organization has recruited Jessica Hagerman, a Child Life Specialist at Shriners Hospital for Children in Springfield, to serve as judge for the contest. Hagerman has illustrated and published four books in a series titled "The Odd Series" and is a strong believer in improving our environment, according to Footit.

"The project engages the children of Springfield in an activity that encourages good citizenship and improving our community," said Footit.

Individuals interested in getting involved with the organization can attend meetings which are conducted on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Mason Wright Retirement Center on Walnut Street or via e-mail at Citizens.for.a.clean.springfield@verizon.net.

Donations are also welcome for the 501c3 organization and can be mailed to Citizens for a Clean Springfield, P.O. Box 80443, Springfield, MA 01138-0444.