Pittsburgh campers give shout out for clean air
When Denzie White started to learn about air pollution, the 12-year-old Bellevue girl thought she should do something about it.
"Why live in a place that has air pollution?" Denzie said.
She and 50 other kids decided to "do something about it" atop West End Overlook park Thursday afternoon.
Holding posters and shouting, "Clean air now!" and "Pollution is wrong!" the children urged City Council to pass the Clean Air Act, which aims to reduce diesel emissions.
The youngsters attend eServe, an environmental service camp run by nonprofit Pittsburgh Cares, and were inspired by a presentation given by the Group Against Smog and Pollution earlier this month at the camp.
"This is who the legislation will most benefit; these kids have the most to gain from clean air," said Rachel Filippini, GASP director.
Meg Schreck, 25, eServe program manager and program assistant for Pittsburgh Cares, said the group included 30 refugees from Myanmar, Bhutan and Nepal, who are housed in Prospect Park in Whitehall through Jewish Family and Children's Services of Pittsburgh.
The children receive $500 toward higher education from Pittsburgh Cares for every 100 hours they attend the camp, Schreck said.
"It's our fourth week at camp, and we've already seen the refugee children and the kids from Pittsburgh really connect," she said. "I'm very impressed with how aware of environmental issues they are."
Schreck said one goal of eServe, which is held twice a week in Westwood, is to teach children that service can be fun.
The children specifically were urging District 2 Councilwoman Theresa Smith to support the Clean Air Act. Smith was unable to attend the event, but sent executive assistant Lori Marabello.
"This is great that you're up here and learning about the environment," Marabello said.
Summer Thorpe, 12, of the North Side said that it's important to give back to the community and that a cleaner environment would benefit everyone.
"I do believe we can make a difference in the world if we all work together," Summer said.
"Why live in a place that has air pollution?" Denzie said.
She and 50 other kids decided to "do something about it" atop West End Overlook park Thursday afternoon.
Holding posters and shouting, "Clean air now!" and "Pollution is wrong!" the children urged City Council to pass the Clean Air Act, which aims to reduce diesel emissions.
The youngsters attend eServe, an environmental service camp run by nonprofit Pittsburgh Cares, and were inspired by a presentation given by the Group Against Smog and Pollution earlier this month at the camp.
"This is who the legislation will most benefit; these kids have the most to gain from clean air," said Rachel Filippini, GASP director.
Meg Schreck, 25, eServe program manager and program assistant for Pittsburgh Cares, said the group included 30 refugees from Myanmar, Bhutan and Nepal, who are housed in Prospect Park in Whitehall through Jewish Family and Children's Services of Pittsburgh.
The children receive $500 toward higher education from Pittsburgh Cares for every 100 hours they attend the camp, Schreck said.
"It's our fourth week at camp, and we've already seen the refugee children and the kids from Pittsburgh really connect," she said. "I'm very impressed with how aware of environmental issues they are."
Schreck said one goal of eServe, which is held twice a week in Westwood, is to teach children that service can be fun.
The children specifically were urging District 2 Councilwoman Theresa Smith to support the Clean Air Act. Smith was unable to attend the event, but sent executive assistant Lori Marabello.
"This is great that you're up here and learning about the environment," Marabello said.
Summer Thorpe, 12, of the North Side said that it's important to give back to the community and that a cleaner environment would benefit everyone.
"I do believe we can make a difference in the world if we all work together," Summer said.