Senator Julie Morrison Supports Pumpkin Composting at District 30

State Senator Julie Morrison Supports Pumpkin Composting and Candy Collection for Troops at District 30 Schools
Gratitude Prevails during District 30’s Great Pumpkin and Candy Drive

On 12:01 p.m., on November 1, after the Environmental Awareness Committee's (EAC’s) first “Jack-O-Lantern Launch" and candy collection for military personnel had ended; the waste receptacle was brimming with over 60 donated pumpkins at Maple School. Instead of ending up in a landfill, the pumpkins are being recycled into compost, through Waste Management, which is also District 30’s waste disposal and environmental services’ company. The EAC gleaned information and received assistance from School and Community Assistance for Recycling and Compost Education (SCARCE), which is based in Glen Ellyn. www.scarce.org/pumpkins

In addition, thousands of pieces of Halloween candy was collected at the same time. EAC member Tracey Becker transported it to the North Suburban YMCA, as the organization has partnered with the United States Service Organizations (USO) of Illinois to collect leftover Halloween candy, to be sent to U.S. military personnel. The YMCA’s collection ends on November 7. District 30 is appreciative to the YMCA for accepting its candy for shipment to the troops. http://www.nsymca.org

State Senator Julie Morrison attended the event, and took a few pictures with Superintendent Dr. Brian Wegley, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Melissa Hirsch, and Director of Buildings and Grounds, Don Zabski. She and Dr. Wegley even helped launch a few pumpkins into the bin! She was sincerely thanked for her generous donation in support of schools, recycling, composting, and giving back to those in need.

Working tirelessly at the “Jack-O-Lantern Launch” and candy collection, were EAC members Tracey Becker, Catherine Caporusso, Sarah Sanford, Tara, and Bailey Wesselink. The EAC, under the leadership of Dr. Hirsch, is appreciative of all of the support from Maple, Wescott, and Willowbrook Schools during this event. A special “thank you” to Maple secretary Kathy Janca for coordinating the “extra" candy collection through the front office; and to Jose Medina, Celso “Cel" Rios and staff, for their assistance in keeping the area safe and spotless during the collection period.