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Shaw protects what is meant to be

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Holly MacDonald
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C --  Earth Day is just around the corner and Shaw is planning events to celebrate the day and highlight the central theme "Protect what is meant to be." 

On April 20, Shaw members will support five events: car pooling, electronic waste turn-in, a poster contest, Arbor Day observance and keeping Shaw clean. 

Everyone with a government identification card is welcome to participate in the day's events on base, said Mark Hall, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron pollution prevention manager. 

"It is important to celebrate Earth Day because it affords the opportunity to focus on environmental concerns and how we as humans affect the world around us," said Heyward Singleton, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron oversight element chief. "It shows that we care enough for future generations to consider how we can be better stewards of our environment on a daily basis." 

The Earth Day planning team members will start off the day at the three base entrances from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. tallying the amount of car pool participants, an initiative for cleaner air. 

The Electronic Waste turn-in event is at the Base Exchange parking lot from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. E-Waste is unwanted central processing units, monitors, TVs, videocassette recorders, etc., that otherwise would be destined for the landfill. Volunteers will prepare unwanted material for shipment to the recycler. An additional collection is on April 21. 

The poster contest included participation from Shaw Heights Elementary, High Hills Elementary and Oakland Primary schools. Students in selected grades at each school created posters with Earth Day themes. Winners for each grade at each school will receive Earth Day t-shirts and selected posters will be posted at the Community Activity Center, Commissary and Mission Support Group from April 16-20. 

The 2007 Arbor Day Observance will be held at 11 a.m. between Carolina Skies and the intersection of Rhodes Avenue and Shaw Drive. Arbor Day Observance will be incorporated to allow Shaw to celebrate Arbor Day closer to the national date of the last Friday in April. As a current Tree City USA, Shaw will look to foster tree planting and environmental stewardship with a tree-planting ceremony. 

The base-wide "Keep Shaw AFB Clean" effort entails a trash and litter pick-up event around Shaw from 2 to 4 p.m., including off the beaten path areas. 

"It is important for everyone to participate because everyone's actions affect our world and environment," Mr. Singleton said. "Small, single actions combined equal a big win for the earth we live on and the air we breathe." 

Military members can also volunteer for clean-up at the Manchester State Forest at 8:30 a.m. April 21. 

"This will be our fifth year in helping to clean-up the Manchester State Forest. The post-clean-up barbecue last year was superb," Mr. Hall said. "Our Park Rangers and Foresters really know how to make you feel welcome and they really appreciate the help." 

For more information or to volunteer, call Mr. Hall at 895-9998.