EACAP Spring, 2014 Our work with Reading Beautification By: Rachel Acker, Natasha O’Brien, and Abby Staskiel

What is Reading Beautification?  Dedicated to the beautification and restoration of the city of Reading  Started back in 1993  Non-profit organization, relying on donations and volunteers  Partners with local education and outreach programs to help complete their mission  Responsible for the Great American Cleanup

 Major factor in our work teaming up with Reading Beautification: SO MUCH TRASH  Environmental and health hazards of littering:  Litter can trap, strangle, and kill animals  It can attract pests like mosquitos, flies, and rodents=infectious diseases  Property values, as well as a negative effect on the economy in the form of fewer tourists, a decrease in new businesses, and fewer residents  Can lead to vandalism, graffiti, and illegal dumping  Infiltrates sanitary water supply, increasing cancer and disease risk in humans Environmental Issue: Littering

What did we do? Landscaping and trash pickup at the Penn St. Bridge

What did we do? (continued) This is a bathroom in a CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND. This was our park cleanup, probably our proudest project

What did we do? (continued) Painting over a mural on a storage shed at this park

What did we do (final) Two hours were spent going around painting over these graffiti-covered mailboxes (Before) (After)

 What have we learned?  Has it changed us?  What was our favorite part/task of the EACAP project?  Why is the EACAP project important? Final Reflections