MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. — Each year, high school seniors at Western Michigan Christian High School complete a senior service project. It’s an opportunity for students to get involved in the community and help make a difference outside of their classroom.
For student Trevor Clapp, it’s more than just a project.
“Just to come out here and really enrich the community is great,” Clapp said. "There's a lot of trash around my house so it really hits home to come out here and pick up some trash.”
The soon-to-be high school graduates spent hours picking up trash at Veterans Memorial Park and they hope more people will join their efforts of keeping Muskegon clean.
“I think there's something very special about picking up trash around the park,” Danny Maat said. There's a ton of different things that all the students were doing, but what's nice about this one is it barely requires much planning, you can go to our site and we'll be glad to have anyone come along.”
The cleanup initiative started with the Muskegon County Litter Cleanup group that started four years ago. Since then, the group has grown with more than 1,000 members on their Facebook page. Volunteers gather on a regular basis to clean up areas around Muskegon.
“To have them here and be a part of it, we're reaching another audience,” administrator Connie Smith said. We're reaching their school, their students, their friends, the parents of their friends, and everybody that may not be aware of what our group is doing and that counts for countless opportunities for us.”
It may seem as simple as cleaning up a park, but the students say it’s about keeping the community clean and taking pride in where they live. They hope their cleanup efforts will help wildlife, keep the earth more cleaner, and make the community enjoyable and safe for others.
“The most people we've had picking up trash was somewhere between 20 and 30 at a time, and it's amazing how many people are willing to sacrifice their time to come out here and help,” Maat said.
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