Garden Club Keeps Watch in Westfield

Each spring, for the past three years, the WWC's Garden Club has sponsored and organized a Litter Project to educate the public about the dangers of littering and the importance of a clean environment. Their focus is on building awareness and respect for our personal and community spaces.  By creating a contest for students, the Garden Club hopes younger generations find purpose and inspiration and spread the word among their peers and adults and lead by example how to care for our great city. 

WWC members Kathy Hillman, left, and Sandi Gil, right with Bob Plasse of Westfield On Weekends. Winning posters were on display downtown in the WOW headquarters.

This year, students were challenged to create a poster, based on the theme, "You Can't Afford to be Trashy." Over 55 posters were submitted. The winning posters were displayed downtown at the WOW building. The first place award was $50, second was $30 and third place was $20.  Additionally, honorable mentions were issued to two students. Last year the contest became multidisciplinary as an essay was added to the competition. The essay award is $100.  

Essay

Ceileigh Thomson

Posters

1^st place …. Alleigha Prue

2^nd place… Temperance Freeman

3^rd place… Muhammad Avuan Taqi

Honorable Mention… Abel Coseriu & Benjamin Bailey

This idea of including students to the Litter Project was the brainstorm of Sandi Gil, a former Westfield educator and HCC college professor. As co-chair of the Garden Club, Gil has worked tirelessly to find solutions to the litter problems in Westfield. From addressing mini "nip" bottles to participating in yearly cleanup efforts to speaking with trucking unions to bring awareness to the environmental impact truck drivers have on the communities they pass through, Gil is passionate about keeping our community and our planet clean. Most recently, simple 'Respect Westfield. Don't Litter' banners can be spotted on the Rotary signs entering town from the turnpike.

'It's about manners and respect. It's about keeping our environment beautiful and healthy for all.'