CORNWALL – A program to make a greener and cleaner Cornwall has seen remarkable growth in less than two years.
Adopt-A-Street, which has volunteers out picking up garbage with equipment supplied by the city, started with 34 volunteers and now has 1,230 people helping keep their neighbourhood clean.
Part of that growth is due to six to seven city schools, which have come on board.
“That is really, really incredible. I can’t think of a better example of civic pride than the work you guys are doing for the benefit of our community,” Parks Division Manager Jamie Fawthrop said during a Thursday recognition event.
One of those groups is Laurencrest Youth Services – a city home on Mercier Avenue West (Eamer’s Corners) for teenage at-risk youth. They started last year cleaning up the area around the RCAF Wing at Lamoureux Park.
“We had the kids out almost on a daily basis from three to six kids with a staff. We actually got a lot of compliments this year from people walking around seeing us do that. It was pretty rewarding to hear that,” Laurencrest supervisor Serge Carriere told Cornwall Newswatch.
Carriere said the program allowed them to show the kids that people can help out and volunteer their time.
“You had a couple of kids who were reluctant to do so, but they came around and actually felt appreciated when they did get recognized like that so it was a good feeling,” he said.
Organizations and individuals were presented with certificates during the ceremony at the Benson Center.
Cornwall Mayor Leslie O’Shaughnessy, Coun. Elaine MacDonald and Coun. Carilyne Hebert were at the ceremony to express their thanks to the volunteers.