Volunteers spruce up PAL fields
POTTSTOWN >> A group of Montgomery County Community College students gave back to the community with a local cleanup.
About 15 people showed up to the Pottstown Police Athletic League Sports Complex April 11 to take part in a field cleanup at the persuasion of a classmate.
“We had to do a persuasive speech and my choice was to do something for the community, which included Pottstown PAL,” said Shauna Hoopes, a student at Montgomery County Community College who initiated the cleanup. “I persuaded 15 students and PAL to get us ready for the spring.”
The assignment was part of a persuasive speech class at Montgomery County Community College where Hoopes convinced the volunteers to do
work for the community for about an hour and a half. Volunteers spent time sprucing up the fields by raking leaves, sanding of some new tables, and doing other tasks to beautify the fields.
“One of our big things in the Speech 110 class is civic engagement and making students aware of their role in the community,” explained Meredith Frank, the instructor for the class. “So it’s a great platform to have people like Shauna come and bring it to life. Also throughout the semester they do other community service. It’s good for the college to come out and help with the community to show that we’re one and it starts with civil engagement.”
In addition to persuading her classmates to take part, Hoopes also managed to get donations for the project from local businesses including Home Depot, Diamond Credit Union and Sal’s Pizza.
“I think it’s important to give back. I’ve been part of that work ethic for a long time and because of that I was able to get people to donate food for lunch and gloves from Home Depot so that we don’t ruin our beautiful manicures,” said Hoopes. “It’s important to me to be part of the community and give back. It’s also a good way to show other people the same thing.”