News and Events
Highlands County Students Working Against Tobacco Celebrate Earth Day Removing Litter from School Campuses
April 22, 2017
Earth Day is an annual event created to celebrate the planet's environment and raise public awareness about pollution. It is observed worldwide with rallies, conferences, outdoor activities and service projects and this year the Highlands County SWAT Chapter Hosted several trash clean ups around school campus and nearby properties.
Showing Mother Nature a little love during the days leading up to Earth Day, groups of SWAT youth and SWAT advisors spent several afternoons cleaning up litter around their school campus. Armed with garbage bags, and gloves, the students worked together to make their environment litter free and more beautiful. There were bags and bags of trash that included soda cans, fast food wrappers, lighters, tobacco cans, cigarette butts, batteries, papers, metal scraps, gum wrappers, and one student even found a broken electronic cigarette. It opened their eyes not only making them realize how much people litter, but also how a great portion of their bags included cigarette butts, and smokeless tobacco trash.
While most students participated in the clean-up, each school had an Earth Day inspired table, with examples of the types of litter picked up, and information on smokeless tobacco and other tobacco related information.
“We haven’t had a trash clean-up in a while and for some of our SWAT members it was their first time participating. At first, they were a little grossed out, but then it became a race to see who could fill their bags first!” Said Amanda John, Community Health Advocate. “Overall, I think it was a great eye opener for the clubs and we will definitely continue this tradition throughout the year!”
If you would like more information about the SWAT Chapter of Highlands County, or would like to become involved in tobacco prevention and education, please call email or Amanda John at (863) 441-5101 or AJohn@QuitDoc.com.
