Community bands together to keep streets clean

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jacob Jimenez
  • 482 Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  A group of approximately 50 Airmen and civilian employees from Homestead ARB and students from Homestead's Job Corps Center, met and picked up over 150 pounds of trash along10 blocks of southwest 288th street  in support of Adopt-A-Highway early Thursday morning, Mar. 22.

The Adopt-A-Highway program is a community sponsored program in which organizations agree to regularly clean litter from a portion of a highway.

"It's a privilege and rewarding experience to be able to give back to the community," said Staff Sgt. Amber Wortham, 482nd Fighter Wing Honor Guard.

The trash cleanup helps to beautify the community and allows Airmen from the base to mentor the Job Corp students.

"It was motivational and fun working with the Airmen from the base," said Ms. Farrah Loar, Job Corps student.

Students and base personnel worked to clean the roadway from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and filled over 15 large trash bags with litter.

"It was a good experience to meet and spend time with Air Force Reservist's," said Mr. Kemar Hylton, Job Corps student. "I'm interested in possibly joining the Air Force Reserve. Being able to see what they're about has reaffirmed my admiration for them, and increased my interest in joining."

A number of Job Corps students have enlisted in the military through recruiting programs.

"The Military is one of the top recruiters for Job Corps students," said Mr. Bernard Krogh, Career Preparation Period Counselor for Homestead Job Corps Center.

The base continues to actively improve the community through outreach, mentorship, and volunteerism; the next cleanup is scheduled for June.

"The base is a product of our community. It's important for our leaders and Airmen to give back," said Chief Master Sgt. Cameron Kirksey, 482nd FW Command Chief. "Mentorship is essential for a good leader. The opportunity that our Airmen are given to mentor the young people of Job Corps and show them what our base represents is a privilege not taken lightly."