The Student Veterans of SLCC (SVSLCC), EMG (Evergreene Management Group), 24 Hour Fitness and other volunteers came together to “pick it up, clean it up” on Earth Day.
With the help of veterans and volunteers alike, they cleaned up apartment complexes in the community.
“We had like-minded people here,” says John Luque, president of the SVSLCC. “People who want to take care of each other and the environment.”
There was wind and a sand storm as the groups were cleaning up, but that didn’t stop them. They were all determined to get together and provide service for the community.
“Luque came to us about this project and we were very excited to do it,” says Katie Calhoun, Property Manager at EMG. “EMG gives back and volunteers regularly, and this was another opportunity for us to help out. We are an equal opportunity housing establishment, and we take care of anybody that needs help. That’s just who EMG is.”
To bring awareness about being active, 24 Hour Fitness was there to help and support the Earth Day project.
“We got involved to help the community understand the importance of being active and being healthy,” says Alex Viehweg, Membership Manager at 24 Hour Fitness. “24 Hour Fitness wants to be known as a community friendly gym and volunteering is something we are happy to do.”
In addition to the other groups volunteering, the SLCC Interior Design Club was there as well.
“We are participating with the SVSLCC and are helping deployed service men and women,” says Beth Low, President of the Interior Design Club. “We wrote them letters that will be given to Project Rudolph, and delivered at Christmas time. Our club does service projects several times a year, and we were very happy to participate in this one.”
The spirit of this project was to bring the community together, and create awareness of not only Earth Day, but making a difference in a community.
“We wanted to promote community unity,” says Luque. “This was such a success. We had such a great turnout of people. We had families who didn’t have any military or veteran background show up to help us. If that isn’t community unity, I don’t know what is.”
