Recycling for Field Trips

By Betty Morrow

betty@observernews.net

RUSKIN - For a group of dedicated volunteers from Aston Gardens in Sun City Center, retirement can mean a lot of hard work.

Every Monday morning a group from the retirement community loads hundreds of pounds of newspapers collected during the week into the large recycling bin at Ruskin Elementary School. The funds raised from the recycled paper helps pay for student field trips.

"This year we've been able to take $2 off of every field trip," said school principal Ellen Jennings. "Our goal is to have the program eventually pay for all of the bus fees."

Jennings is hoping that word will get out in the community to turn that goal into reality.

The newspaper recycling bin is located in the main parking lot of the school located on the corner of State Road 674 and U.S. 41.

The idea to collect newspapers for recycling came from third grade teacher Kelly Treece. Treece saw an advertisement about fundraising for schools and churches and decided to take it upon himself to turn old newspapers into cash for the students.

The program quickly outgrew the small bin that was initially placed in the parking lot. The new large bin is already possibly too small. They may well have two bins soon.

On this Monday morning, five volunteers from Aston Gardens loaded up bin after bin of newspapers, all collected at the facility. Recycling bins are provided to residents and the volunteers bring them all over in a facility bus. It is a big job and it is obvious that the residents of Aston Gardens are avid readers of area newspapers.

The volunteers, however, are dedicated to their task and they appreciate the rewards that are gained by the school children. It is, in many ways, a labor of love.

Both Jennings and Treece are hoping that word will get out and that the community will get involved to help the school recycling project grow.

The bins are open to the community for recyclable newsprint. For information call 671-5177.