LIMA — For over 20 years, the public has gathered in Faurot Park to celebrate Earth Day thanks to the nonprofit Earth Day Awareness Lima, along with their corporate and government partners.
The partners included Northwest Ohio Solid Waste, Butterfly Love, Husky Energy, Nutrien, the Allen Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Lima Community Foundation.
The event, geared toward both young and old, offered environmental education opportunities and free entertainment for the Lima community.
Rae Neal, director of Earth Day Awareness Lima, was instrumental arranging the musical talent, activities, volunteers, and sponsors for this year’s event. She emphasized that the event is designed to teach the importance of taking personal responsibility for our actions when it comes to the environment.
“A disposable plastic lifestyle is not the best way to live on the planet,” Neal said.
She emphasized that consumer purchasing choices can motivate manufacturers to develop products that keep in mind the end life of their product and its impact upon the environment.
Payton Jones, age 9, attends Perry schools. She said she learned “plastic can be sent into the ocean and it hurts the animals in the sea.” She also learned she can do something to help the Earth. “I can plant a tree. They take the toxins out of the air and give us oxygen.”
“Most people are surprised because they think of electric cars as being small, and this is a full-sized minivan,” said Michael Wildermuth, who brought his electric hybrid Chrysler Pacifica. “When I charge the battery, which I do overnight at my house and just plug it into a regular outlet, I can drive for about 30 miles on that charge and then the gas kicks in.” In terms of fuel efficiency, Wildermuth said he’s only had to fill his tank twice since December 2021. “I’ve gotten up to 89 miles a gallon and haven’t even noticed the rise in gas prices.”
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