The youth and adults who participated in the PRIDE Spring Cleanup project of Warrens Chapel United Methodist Church Youth Group and Booneville United Methodist Church Youth Group accepted their PRIDE Volunteer of the Month Award at Owsley County High School.

Two Owsley County youth groups shared southern and eastern Kentucky’s PRIDE Volunteer of the Month Award for December 2013.

The youth groups of Warrens Chapel United Methodist Church and Booneville United Methodist Church earned the award for their volunteer effort during the PRIDE Spring Cleanup in April. They filled 139 trash bags with the litter they collected along 14.9 road miles.

The youth groups have teamed up on many service projects, such as doing outdoor chores at homes of the elderly. In July, they went on a mission trip to serve others in Charleston, S.C. They held fundraisers to help pay for their mission trip and supplies for their service projects.

“Our group does a variety of service learning activities, but the Spring Cleanup was our first trash cleanup, and it was a real eye opener,” said Natasha Lucas, the Warren Chapel United Methodist Church Youth Leader.

“Now the youth get so upset when they see trash thrown out of cars,” she said. “They also saw how easy it was to make a difference in what their community looks like.”

“The Spring Cleanup was a good learning experience and service opportunity, so we plan to do it again,” she added.

“These youth set a fine example by their community service, and their churches should be proud of the fine caliber of young people they have coming up to become responsible adults,” said Lucy Burroughs, Owsley County Solid Waste and PRIDE Coordinator. She nominated the youth groups for the PRIDE award.

“Teaming up across organizations can require a little extra effort, but it’s a great way to make an impact in your community, and these young people are learning that first hand,” said PRIDE’s Mark Davis, who presented the award. “I want to thank each of you for your service, and I thank Natasha for her leadership.”

The youth and adults who participated in the Spring Cleanup project gathered at Owsley County High School to accept their award. They were: Starlett Couch, Hannah Ertel, Kennedy Hudson, Wyatt Lucas, Katie Beth Lucas, Natasha Lucas, Caddis Bowling, Christian Bowling, Brittney Noe, Tyler Noe, Shenia Noe, Matt Nuttle, Barbara Bowling, Melinda Herald, Zachary Nuttle, Thea Smith, Cindy Baker, Francis Davis, Faith Duff, Howard Price, Chloe Cornwell, Bethany Davis, Eli Gibson, Patrick Davis, Oneida McIntosh, Alyssa McIntosh, Autumn Cope, Corey Creech and Kevin Baker.

The PRIDE Volunteer of the Month program recognizes hard work and dedication to the PRIDE initiative, which promotes environmental education and cleanup efforts across 42 counties. With corporate sponsorship from TECO Coal, WYMT-TV airs commercials about each PRIDE Volunteer of the Month.

Congressman Hal Rogers co-founded PRIDE in 1997 with the late General James E. Bickford, who was the Kentucky Secretary of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.

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