Consolidated Communications rewards local schools for recycling
Four local schools gather books, earn money from Consolidated Communications
In the photo, from left to right: Judy Luchtefeld, Sacred Heart School; Brian Hayes, Sanitation Service; Anna Habing and Logan Antrim from Sacred Heart School; Claire Walk, Isaac Walk, Ethan Walk and Stacey Walk, all of Sigel St. Michael; Kate Hartke and Will Unkraut from St. Anthony Grade School, Marlene Walker of Consolidated Communications; Payton Sehy of St. Anthony Grade School; Annie Schuler of Consolidated Communications; and Marie Burton of St. Anthony Grade School.
MATTOON – Area students recently gathered more than 31,600 phone books for recycling, and as a reward they earned $2,500 for their schools from Consolidated Communications.
The books were collected by students at St. Anthony Grade School, Sacred Heart School, Effingham Junior High School and Sigel St. Michael. During the month-long program, students were encouraged to gather old phone books from family members and friends and to bring them into each school following the delivery of the 2011-2012 Phone Book from Consolidated in September.
St. Anthony Grade School earned top honors and a check for $1,000 from Consolidated Communications by gathering an average of 66 books per student, for a total of 22,589 books.
Sacred Heart School students gathered the second highest tally with 26 books per student, for a total of 3,905 books, and earned a $750 check from Consolidated. Students at Sigel St. Michael gathered almost 16 books per student, for a total of 1,863 books, earned a check for $500. Effingham Junior High School students gathered about 5 books per student and turned in 3,260 books and received a check for $250. In all, the schools gathered 31,617 books.
“Consolidated Communications is proud of the work these students did to gather old telephone books,” said Brad Barker, manager, Consolidated Directories. “This program teaches children about the benefits of recycling and provides the schools with funding for other programs and opportunities for the students.”
Barker added that through this program, the books were picked up at the schools and housed by Sanitation Service Inc., of Effingham before being recycled. “This program is truly a great community project. Brian Hayes of Sanitation Service donates his company’s time to pick up the books and arranges for recycling each year with Howard’s Disposal. Howard’s picks up the books from Sanitation Service in empty trucks after dumping loads at the landfill. We couldn’t do this program without their support, and we sincerely appreciate it,” Barker said.
