Kathy Vesely, Boonsboro Environmental Commission Member
From small towns to big cities, collective action leads to big results! Kathy Vesely is the living embodiment of how one person can bring people together and make an impact by simply collecting litter as part of the Clean Earth Challenge.
“As a child, my mother ALWAYS made sure I NEVER littered, so it has been ingrained in my soul since I was a youngster,” says Kathy Vesely, a resident of Boonsboro, Maryland, and a member of the Boonsboro Environmental Commission. (Every time Kathy and her husband go on walks, they collect litter!)
Wondering how she could help decrease litter in her town and help make an impact, Kathy discovered the Clean Earth Challenge and the perfect way to “collect litter with a purpose.”
As a long-time member of the Boonsboro Environmental Commission, Kathy raised the litter problem in commission meetings and then later presented the Clean Earth Challenge idea at a Town Council meeting and finally to the EDC (Economic Development Commission).
The EDC includes the town’s businesses. “EVERYONE was on board with the idea,” says Kathy, “and my plan was to have a month-long event to encourage more participation than just a one-day event.”
The team decided to hold the event in April 2025, which is Earth Day Month, and also coincided with Boonsboro’s Shafer Park Arbor Day and Cleanup event. Time to get started!
Kathy placed information about the event in the April Town Newsletter along with the Clean Earth Challenge tally form. (The newsletter goes out to households that receive a water bill which equates to 1,300 households.)
To help get the word out, Kathy and a friend went to every business in town and gave them a tally sheet and intro letter. They told businesses they would pick up the tally sheet at the end of the month.
Kathy also contacted the Boonsboro High School Guidance Office and asked for names of students who needed SSL (Student Service Learning) hours to graduate and students who would like to volunteer.
During the month of April, several locations were involved in the Clean Earth Challenge. The Shafer Park Arbor Day and Cleanup Event honors Earth Day by planting a new tree in honor of someone who has recently passed. Afterwards, 60 volunteers cleaned up the stream running through the park and the surrounding area. Volunteers included the Boy and Girl Scouts, individuals, the Town Mayor and Council members, and anyone interested in helping to beautify the park. They collected a total of six big bags (approximately 853 pieces) of litter and trash.
Nine high school students participated and collected 2, 016 pieces of litter across a three-school campus consisting of Boonsboro High School (BHS), Boonsboro Middle School (BMS), and Boonsboro Elementary School (BES). During this cleanup, Kathy collected numerous cigarette butts and plastic bottles on a busy nearby road.
Eight individual households participated and collected 1,272 pieces of litter. This is how you get people inspired and build momentum—go Kathy!
During the month of April, 13 businesses enthusiastically participated (51 who were given a tally form) and collectively picked up 1,955 pieces of litter. Additionally, volunteers with a church preschool participated and collected 517 pieces of litter as well as a fitness center owner and her volunteers who collected 257 pieces.
From initial idea to execution, we are so inspired and grateful for Kathy’s determination and dedication in coordinating these amazing cleanups as a part of the Clean Earth Challenge. A total of 6, 880+ pieces of litter and debris were collected! We can’t wait to see what next year brings. Keep up the great work Kathy and Boonsboro!
