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SJRCC Press Release
September 2008
SJRCC athletes work to Keep Putnam Beautiful
 Thirty-six members of the St. Johns River Community College baseball team gathered recently to help clean up debris along the banks of the St. Johns River near Browns Landing. The project was in coordination with Keep Putnam Beautiful, a non-profit organization designed to address the need for solutions to solid waste and littering issues.
The athletes and other volunteers collectively gathered approximately 3,650 pounds of litter and debris according to Jim Townsend, executive director for Keep Putnam Beautiful.
Athletic director Toni Willis, head baseball coach Ross Jones and his son also participated in the cleanup efforts. Jones said he takes pride in his hometown of Palatka and believes in community involvement as a factor in his teamÕs success. "It is important that our student-athletes understand that they represent the community and that they should take ownership in their community," he said. Jones added that the community service projects benefit the student-athletes by instilling in them a sense of pride and work ethics that will follow them throughout their lives.
Willis said she was proud of how the players actively contributed with such a positive effort. "This is a great opportunity for us to unite in doing something to make the community a better place," said Willis, who is a Putnam County native herself.
This is the first of several community service projects SJRCC's student-athletes are planning for this year, said Willis. In previous years, SJRCC athletes have been involved with projects involving reading with younger students, food drives during Thanksgiving and Operation Christmas Child.
The reading program is something Jones said he is particularly interested in. "The athletes can really make an impact in the lives of the younger students," he said.
SJRCC's athletic programs are based on the Palatka Campus and consist of men's basketball, men's baseball, women's fast-pitch softball and women's volleyball. For more information regarding SJRCC athletics, visit our Web site at http://www.sjrcc.edu/athletics.html.
PHOTO CAPTION:
SJRCC baseball teammates worked diligently to clean up debris along the Browns Landing area of the St. Johns River. From left: Vince Ratto, Cameron Juneau, Chris Mock, Jarrell Rodgers, Brant Lickiss and Austin Flores.
Return to SJRCC home page.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Susan Kessler
SJRCC Director of Public Relations and Publications
5001 St. Johns Avenue
Palatka, FL 32177
(386) 312-4020
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