EPCAMR would like to once again continue to raise funds to assist our regional, environmental non-profit organization to cover the costs of the expenses that are necessary to help our Staff and volunteers with removing tons of illegally dumps piles of trash, discarded tires, household goods, furniture, garbage bags, plastics, bottles, cans, glass, vacuum cleaners, baby diapers, carpets, refrigerators, sinks, toilets, and many other discarded waste products that have littered the borough of Centralia historically for years since the tragic mine fire engulfed the major portion of the borough. Nearly $2000 was collected for last year's cleanup and expended. We are looking to secure another $2000 for the 2017 Event. EPCAMR is using last year's formatted fundraising page to continue to add to this year's event.
EPCAMR has taken a leading role over the last 4 years to build a coalition of partners that consists of many of the few remaining local residents, the Fire Chief of Centralia-Tom Hynoski, regional college students from various colleges and universities, local high school students from N. Schuylkill, Girl Scouts from Mt. Carmel, the Aristes Fire Company, former residents, and volunteers from multiple states who have often ventured in and around Centralia over the years, who also share our thoughts and desire to cleanup the borough of Centralia for Centralians, Past & Present! Noone else has offered to coordinate the large cleanups due to the need to raise funds to support the cleanup efforts and EPCAMR has committed to serving in that role for the last several years to see that the borough becomes clean and green. Wicked Jeeps:PA Coal Region Chapter and Wicked Jeeps: Central Region Chapter, and Down N Dirty, have stepped up this year so far, along with Save A Lot Stores to become both sponsors and donors towards the event and will surely be bringing lots of volunteers. Down N Dirty will be raffling off some prizes during the day too!
Here's an initial list of sponsors for the 2017 Event already!
Over the last few years, we've had the support of the PA DCED, ARIPPA, Pagnotti Enterprises, Blaschak Coal Company, Sexy Pig BBQ, Keep PA Beautiful, Centraliapa.org, Mostik Brothers Hauling, Catizone's Coal Region Cooking, the Great American Cleanup, Wicked Jeeps: PA Coal Region, Joe Sapienza II-Director of the now release documentary on Centralia (PA's Lost Town), donations from Laurie Deapo, support from Jeff Crum and Community Aid, Newport Township Community Organization, Wilkes University, King's College, Luzerne County Community College, Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance, Pennsylvania Environmental Council-NE Office, PA Department of Transportation, Mahanoy Creek Watershed Association, Ocean Conservancy, Bridgestone, Tires4ward, HOME DEPOT, TARGET, Weis Markets, and the NHS Northwestern Academy. We're sure to be missing a few partners and dozens of individual volunteers that have been supportive of our efforts from the beginning. See the video from two years at this link: Last Year's Cleanup Fundraising Video
Funds raised will cover the costs of the hauling fee to the landfill of the anticipated trash that will be collected and disposed of in more than likely 3 40 cubic yard dumpsters that we'll be getting for the cleanup. We'll be purchasing heavy duty garbage bags, supplies, hand sanitizer, a few first aid kits, refreshments, snacks, drinks, water, and some food to feed the volunteers over the lunch hour during the cleanup on October 21, 2017 from 9am-4pm. More planning is still in the works.
Volunteers who would like to participate in the cleanup must sign our Liability Waiver that will be available at the Municipal Garage the day of the cleanup. Sponsors of the event are being added as we now begin to move forward with the coordination of the event. EPCAMR would like our volunteers to please consider wearing orange this year or you will be provided safety vests for safety reasons. It is hunting season that late in October.
At this point, we will NOT be trespassing on GraffIti Highway to clean it up without permission from either PA DOT or the State Police. There will be designated areas for the cleanup that will be made available. Big Mine Run Road is being considered to be added to this year's event, which has seen it's fair share of roadside trash.
EPCAMR is actively in search for sponsors and donations to support the effort. We intend to feed all volunteers and provide drinks and refreshments, however, it's important for us to have an accurate count of who will definitely be coming to assist in purchasing the proper amount.
This annual event is NOT an event to join as an excuse to sight see in Centralia. We work with many of the remaining residents to keep the town from continuously being dumped in and respect their rights as citizens of Centralia to live their remainder of their lives as peacefully as they can. As the organizer of the event, we will NOT tolerate nor condone any volunteers entering the surrounding cemeteries or near the remaining homes and church during our cleanup.
Children should not be involved if they are very young. Please read the Waiver that will be posted shortly. All children of a proper age must be accompanied by an adult, parent, or guardian.
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