ARTIE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Over spring break, Chandler Taylor, a fifth-grade student at Clear Fork Elementary School, was on a mission to make a difference in his community while raising money for an upcoming class trip to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN.
With a heart set on both cleanliness and community improvement, Chandler launched a pledge campaign aimed at cleaning up a significant portion of his neighborhood.
His goal? To collect at least 300 pounds of trash along an eight-mile stretch of Rt. 1, spanning from Spruce Mountain to Toney’s Fork in Clear Creek.
In a letter addressed to potential pledges, Chandler outlined his vision.
“I would like to raise some extra spending money for my stay [at Dollywood] and in doing so, also help my community become a cleaner, more beautiful place for my neighbors,” he writes.
Chandler called on the generosity of individuals to pledge an amount of money ranging from 1 cent to 50 cents per pound of trash collected or to pledge any amount by the mile.
He dedicated three days of his Spring Break, April 3rd to 5th, to the project.
Chandler achieved that goal by collecting an overwhelming 87 bags of trash along the eight-mile stretch.
Delegate Chris Toney who represents the 43rd District in Raleigh and Wyoming County says he is proud of Chandler’s efforts.
“I’d personally like to thank Chandler Taylor (CJ as we know him) for making an incredible difference in the Clear Fork community. This young man and his family picked up 87 bags of trash in an 8-mile stretch. Once again, the adults can learn from a child,” Toney said.
Toney hopes others learn from Chandler’s accomplishment.
“My hope is that other students and adults are encouraged to learn from CJ’s example. Maybe more businesses will be encouraged to come to a clean community like Clear Fork because of this young man’s hard work.”
“There are opportunities for students across southern West Virginia to learn about recycling, trash compactors, and more through free field trips at the Raleigh County Solid Waste Authority Education Center with Sherry Hunter.”