Community service should draw bigger crowd

Viewpoints

Discussion

April 15, 2010

By Danielle Pelkey The North Jefferson News The North Jefferson News Thu Apr 15, 2010, 04:20 PM CDT

COMMENTARY — The people of Gardendale had a great opportunity this past weekend to help clean up their city.

The City of Gardendale Public Works Department held their annual clean up day this past Saturday, starting at 8 a.m. at the civic center. Everyone gathered bright and early and looked ready to work. After a brief speech by Mayor Othell Phillips, we were told where we would be picking up trash and were instructed to watch for motorist who may not notice our bright yellow and orange vests.

Everyone hit the road, ready to conquer litter forever. There were trash bags, black gloves and bottled water all around. We split up in teams and had two on one side of the road and two on the other.

My group got the honor of picking up the litter on Main Street. As we walked down to Woodbrook Apartments, my teammate, Donna Dodd, kept saying that people were probably wondering what a bunch of women had done to have to do road work as their community service. I guess in most people’s eyes, we looked like common criminals. But that didn’t stop us from having a good time.

We laughed and cut up the entire time we were out there.

One big perk of the job was that an organization had donated $100 to the person who could find the most unique item. This was more than enough motivation to dig through ditches to find the treasure that would beat out everyone else’s treasure.

Donna struck it right when she found $20 in a grassy field. I thought she might find a little pity in her heart and split it with her partner, but in the true spirit of the game, she kept it.

In our struggles to find the most unique item, we picked up a huge GMC sign from the front of what was probably a pick up truck. We also found a rusty old saw with surprisingly sharp teeth. These items were no match for the real winners of the competition though.

The first place winner for the most unique item found during our clean up day was a white powdery substance that was in a small, clear bag. When the guys inspected it further, they found that it was not drugs, as was previously suspected. Whatever was contained in that bag, it was good enough to win the competition. When we discovered that the guy who found this items wasn’t there, we decided that he couldn’t win the money since he left early.

Second runner up was a pack of men’s underwear and a home marijuana testing kit. This was found by Alan Hall and he gladly accepted his $100 prize for this crazy find. Other strange items that were found was a wallet, training bra and a pregnancy test.

When we all returned back to the civic center, we were welcomed by grilled hamburgers and hot dogs that were cooked by NAPA employees. After eating, they drew names for various prizes that were donated by stores and restaurants in the community. The department did an excellent job of making the day eventful and enjoyable. I look forward to next year’s clean up day, and hope to see more people from around the area participating.

Text Only

Viewpoints

One positive for bingo: It wakes up the masses
To bingo or not to bingo? Who would have ever thought the question would have gone this far in Alabama?

April 16, 2010
Community service should draw bigger crowd
The people of Gardendale had a great opportunity this past weekend to help clean up their city.

April 15, 2010
The good and the bad: Lessons learned in first week
My hat is off to Adam Smith. After sitting in his chair for a week, it all makes sense. No, that is way too optimistic: It is only beginning to make sense.

April 2, 2010
Palm Sunday was just the beginning of long tradition
I heard a preacher say that the only good thing about Good Friday was the promise that Sunday was coming.

March 31, 2010
Second week of 2010 proves to be quite eventful
Being an Auburn fan, it would have been just wrong if I hadn’t thrown up a few “hook ‘em horns” while the game was getting ready to start.

January 14, 2010
Strange remedies may keep you free of ailments in 2010 In the spirit of wishing everyone a healthy 2010, here are a few home remedies that could help you avoid the doctor and prevent a blow to your pocketbook. These remedies, potions and concoctions were taken from “The Foxfire Book” and two Web sites, earthclinic.com and folkremediesforyou.com.
December 30, 2009
May 2010 be everything that 2009 wasn’t And so we kiss another year goodbye.

The year of double-ought nine luckily proved to be filled with more ups than downs (knocking on wood) for yours truly. I actually managed to accomplish quite a bit personally and professionally. I hope you were able to do the same.
December 30, 2009
To any confused families, my husband is not Santa Now Raygan tells all of her friends at school that Santa is her daddy and I’m pretty sure that there are about 30 parents ready to kill us for ruining Christmas for their families.
December 22, 2009
I (kind of) braved Black Friday insanity Yes, after years and years of politely declining invitations to push and shove people in the name of commerce, I made up my mind to take part in the insanity. I was, in fact, going to do it out of love.
December 3, 2009
Halloween costumes have lost horror and pizazz For the low price of about $5 per accessory, I could go as Michael Jackson. Nothing should evoke fear in the hearts of children as dressing like an accused child molester with a disfigured face who is also now dead.
October 27, 2009
More Viewpoints Headlines

Viewpoints

Search Results

Discussion

Community service should draw bigger crowd

Site Map

Contact Us