ALS students clean Shaw playgrounds

Published June 29, 2006
By Senior Airman John Gordinier
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Senior Airman Michael Hughes, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft armament systems journeyman, was taking his 18-month-old-son to one of the Shaw playgrounds. While Airman Hughes was pushing his son on the swing set he noticed a significant amount of broken glass in the play area. He picked up the glass and went on about his day.

Soon after, while in Airman Leadership School, Airman Hughes learned that community projects were part of the criteria to graduate ALS. Remembering that one day with his son, he presented the idea to clean up the Shaw playgrounds to the rest of his ALS flight.

The flight, consisting of about 17 students, agreed and cleaned up multiple playgrounds throughout Shaw June 20.

“We wanted to keep it local to make it easier and more convenient for everyone in the flight,” said Senior Airman Lakeisha Newkirt, 20th Operational Support Squadron airfield management operations supervisor. “We had to do one community project as a class and one as a flight; this was the flight project.”

“It took us a couple of hours,” said Senior Airman Brandon Johnson, 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron information manager. “During that time we picked up many glass bottles -- some broken, some intact. The end result was 17 garbage bags full of trash.”

Before the students cleaned up the playgrounds, Airman Newkirt called the Shaw housing maintenance office to inform them they would be cleaning up the playgrounds.

“Housing maintenance office is aware of the problem,” said Airman Newkirt. “They said they have had other complaints and are in the works of resolving the problem.”

Although housing maintenance is working the problem, everyone can do their part to help.

“Throw away your trash,” said Airman Hughes. “If you bring food or beverages with you to the playground, make sure you throw it in the trash can and not on the ground -- especially glass bottles.

“Glass bottles on the playground are an accident waiting to happen,” he said. “Protect your kids, dispose of the bottles properly. Even if you didn’t put the bottle there, pick it up anyway.”