Westport senior creates ‘Quarantine Clean-Up’ Project

WESTPORT — Superintendent Gary Reese is pleased to report that a senior in the Westport Jr./Sr. High School Class of 2020 has been keeping busy during the ongoing school closure by making his community a cleaner place to live.

Senior Adam Charest has started the Quarantine Clean-Up project, meant to encourage Westport residents to clean up if they see trash or other items while outside.

“Every day, when driving, running or walking, I noticed garbage or litter that covers the roadsides and woods,” Charest said. “For a long time I have gone to beach clean-ups and other events, but I feel like three times a year is not even close to enough to making an impact.”

So when the quarantine resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic came around and people became isolated and forced indoors, Charest saw the opportunity to help people’s mental state while also supporting his love for helping the environment.

“Through Quarantine Clean-Up, a safe and rewarding program was created,” he said. “I hope the members of our community get on board and support it.”

What is Quarantine Clean-up
Due to people being restricted to their homes and more likely to order take-out food, the use of packaged goods and plastic bags is at a higher rate. Charest saw these waste items while walking along the roads of Westport, and started bringing a trash bag and some gardening gloves to clean up the area.

The idea behind Quarantine Clean-up is for others to do the same, so they can get some fresh air and clean up the environment at the same time.

Charest encourages others to make a positive impact in the community during these difficult times. As always, he reminds people to maintain proper social distancing of at least six feet from others when outside.

“We have seen so many acts of kindness, support and resourcefulness during this ongoing pandemic,” Westport Jr./Sr. High School principal Mitchel Aho said. “Adam’s project is a terrific example of that. I applaud him for his thoughtfulness and encourage residents to follow his lead by making our community a cleaner, happier place.”

Anyone who takes part in the Quarantine Clean-up can share photos of their clean-up efforts with Charest by emailing him at charestadam@gmail.com.