Rotary Club of St. Croix Mid-Isle members and Country Day Rotary Interact youth were busy early Saturday morning planting, raking, and pruning at the Golden Rock traffic triangle.
People driving by gave thumbs-up, and a man from the nearby JFK Housing Community joined in and helped rake debris.
Acting Police Chief James Parris stationed a unit with blue flashing lights at the intersection, warning motorists of the volunteers working nearvy, and neon orange cones lined the roadside. About a dozen Rotarians and nine students from seventh through twelfth grade were on hand, wearing goggles and gloves to spruce up the club’s adopted spot on St. Croix.
Rotarian Bill Prochaska, chairman of the community service committee, said they usually take care of the triangle every two weeks, trimming grass, cleaning debris and raking at 5:30 in the morning so they don’t impede traffic.
“I can’t drive by and see the grass needing cut and debris picked up,” Prochaska said. “It’s something that just has to be done. We want to keep it looking nice.”
Rotarian Richard Grant, a past district governor, said they have been taking care of the triangle about seven years. Rotarian Chester Williams donated plants that he said needed watered every couple days. Sen. Nereida “Nellie” Rivera-O’Reilly stopped by to lend a hand and offered to water the new plants.
Saturday they started later than usual because the students were involved.
Rotarian Kim Deline, advisor for the students, said the students volunteer throughout the year at different cleanups around St. Croix. She added the students meet weekly and do fundraisers. In February the students will take Valentine cards to patients at the hospital.
“They see the good attributes of Rotarians while doing service with us,” Deline said, adding the students learn the principle of community service. She said every other year they take a trip to the Dominican Republic and teach orphans English.
Brin Goldman, a senior and president of Interact, said projects such as the cleanup are a good way to help out in the community.
“The things we do help make the island better,” Goldman said. “It’s nice to help and be a part of it and work together with the Rotarians.”
She said she plans to become a Rotarian in the future.
Heraldo Cassanova, who lives in JFK, said he loves to see the area looking nice.
“I love to see all of this happening here,” he said as he swept up debris using a dust pan he made. “We’re united together and working together in 2013.”
Ralph Collins, president of the club, said it warms his heart to see members of the local community like Cassanova come out and volunteer without being asked.
