April 2019 has gone and the official Community Clean – Up month is over. The community worked hard to spiff up a little and get ready for company coming to town. The number of hours reported back to Main Street Guymon on clean – up hours is 825.5.
“This is the number of hours turned in to us,” says Main Street Director Melyn Johnson. “I am sure it does not include everyone’s extra efforts to pick up trash, mow, plant flowers, paint, and whatever else they’ve done. So, this is a great turn out.”
Many businesses got into the groove and joined, including
- Bank of the Panhandle,
- Memorial Hospital,
- PCHC,
- PTCI,
- Top Hand Western Store, and
- Verizon.
Others have said that they’re still planning to step up in May!
School groups really stepped up. They include, from OPSU, the
- Science Club,
- football players,
- HALO (Hispanic American Leadership Organization),
- PBL (business club), and
- OPSU Upward Bound.
Guymon school groups included the
- Alma Folklorica Dancers,
- GHS BPA (business club), and
- junior high students.
Several church groups pitched in, too.
- The Connections Church,
- First Christian Church,
- Nazarene Church youth,
- Primera Iglesia Bautista Hispanic church,
- Seventh Day Adventist Pathfinders, and
- Victory Center youth all helped.
The largest group of helpers involved the local organizations such as
- Boy Scouts,
- Girl Scouts,
- Glasswing Garden Club,
- Guymon 4-H,
- Junior 4-H,
- Lions Club,
- Recycle Guymon,
- Rose Garden Club,
- Texas County Democrats, and
- YMCA.
Some local individuals worked and cleaned up on public lands, too. Those that send in their time included Linda Burke, Vonda Wilkins, Jim Norris and crew, Bob and Paula Lucas, and Jill and Mac Johnson.
Several people need to be recognized for their efforts, although everyone who participated (whether turning in hours or not) should be commended. Evlyn Schmidt, a retired librarian, helped three different groups pick up trash and was given the Main Street Guymon Vital Volunteer for her work. Teri Mora brought in three different groups from OPSU and the high school that put in a huge number of accumulated hours. She is also one of the many who has been a part of this program for almost ten years. Bob Lucas is over 85 years old and picked up trash along Highway 136 South.
“The people inspired me,” says Johnson. “They just do what needs to be done and it’s not for the pats on the back or for any other reason that it’s the right thing to do. They are what make this a great place to be.”
The volunteers picked up trash or did other clean-up along all the highway entrances coming into Guymon, along Main Street / Highway 64, at the county fairgrounds, at all the community parks, along the railroad easement in town, at the airport, along East Street, down some of the alleys, on the school campus, around the hospital, at the nursing home, Kid’s Inc. ball fields, at the rodeo grounds, at the post office, at the Y, and other areas.
“Thank you to all who helped,” said Johnson. “And thanks to those who are still working on some of the clean – up projects in May. You’re all community heroes!”