Article written by Nihali Mann, Grade 12 student, Burnsview Secondary School
This article also appeared in the North Delta Reporter on April 29.
On this year’s Earth Day (April 22), several members of the Leo’s Club came together and organized the 4th annual clean-up of Delview Park. The Delview clean-up event was created by then 9th grader, Joshua Thoreson, and since then has occurred every Earth Day!
The event involves people and children across Delta getting together to pick up trash bags of litter and enjoying a cleaner, more loving environment. Joshua, now in Grade 12, had come up with the idea to start this project after noticing the amount of trash and litter scattered around Delview Park.
In his words, “I noticed especially the dangerous items, such as shattered glass, and realized this park was no longer a safe environment for children, and all children deserve to play in a safe park.”
At the event, Joshua led group games and activities for the youth before beginning his clean-up portion of the afternoon, at which he supplied participants with trash bags and gloves.
A participant from the neighbouring elementary school noted that “It was really fun and felt good to help both my community and environment.”
With the great reception from students from all different schools across the district and other members of the community, it is clear that his goal to make this park a more inviting place for everyone has been achieved! But he doesn’t just work alone; there is a team of dedicated volunteers who make this event what it is.
Moxie, a high school senior at Delview, has been volunteering for three years and said that “I have found the opportunity really has given back to me as well as the community—I’ve been able to get outside more, and I have developed an appreciation for the little things this Earth Day, which is what it’s all about!”
Over 15 bags of trash were filled last week on Earth Day, and now Joshua is looking forward to incorporating his love for nature and community into his post-secondary journey.
