Elementary School Students Help Clean Up Crellin

Students from Crellin Elementary School recently helped the Crellin Outreach Partnership clean up the Crellin Community Park, the school grounds, and the road in front of the school.

“We wanted to support the school’s environmental endeavors and sustainability, as well as promote health in the community through healthy outdoor spaces, so Crellin Outreach Partnership promoted this clean-up along-side Carrie Hordubay and her students from the school,” said Kristen Walker, Garrett County Health Department Outreach Worker. “The Crellin community is very proud of what Crellin School has accomplished over the years to rescue the environment and waterways surrounding the school from the toxic coal production that occurred in this area for so many years.”

Nineteen students from Hordubay’s third grade class spent 90 minutes doing the cleanup.

“I found a tire in the park, and there was lots and lots of glass,” said student Landon White.

“It was eye-opening,” said Hordubay. “There really wasn’t as much trash as we thought there would be. Most of what we found were things that probably blew around over the winter. The people living here are doing a good job at keeping the community clean.”

The group planned to schedule additional time for cleanup, but was able to cover the entire area in the time they had available on that day.

“The students are great role models for their community,” Walker said. “They were so eager and willing to give a small amount of time to make such a big impact. We could all learn something from them. Doing for others can start out small, and once you do it, it is so empowering and rewarding.”

Activities of community planning groups are supported in part by funds from the Garrett County Health Department to promote healthy living and prevent risky behaviors. For more information call the Health Department at 301-334-7730 or 301-895-3111.

By Diane Lee, Public Information Officer, Garrett County Health Department