Helpers Among Us - Scouts invite residents to adopt a drain

Mairead Christopher, Euan Gwee and Hudson Lewandowski recently invited residents attending a mid-September farmers market to “adopt a drain.” 

Winchester High School sophomore Gwee says that he became involved in the Adopt-a-Drain program when he was looking for an Eagle Scout project. 

“I found this town program and I signed up for a drain, but so far only a few drains have been adopted,” he says.

Volunteers sign up to adopt a storm drain (or drains) and then check on that drain and remove any excess trash/build up before and after heavy rain, wind, or snow. The result: clean rivers and lakes and less local flooding.

“Mr. [Matt] Shuman in the town’s Engineering Department was super supportive,” he adds. 

McCall sixth-grader Lewandowski says the program “helps the town and the waterways, and it helps the community.”

Sophomore Christopher agrees. 

“I’ve been helping Euan and as I learn more about it, it seems like a really big problem,” he says. “But if enough people do this, it’ll make a difference in the environment.” 

Euan followed up with an email, saying, “I’m happy to report that the project was a success!! Tons of people stopped by the Adopt-a-Drain booth on Saturday to learn more about the program, and we helped a number of residents sign-up on the spot. It was so much fun helping them find names for their drains.

“On Sunday, I went around with some volunteers to install the markers on the curbs by the storm drains. We divided into small groups during both the first and second shifts, and managed to clean and mark a total of 75 storm drains in the center of town, and around the high school! MyRWA even shared a post about it on Instagram!

“I really hope I was able to increase public awareness of this important initiative, and help educate the community about the impact of stormwater pollution, and the importance of protecting our local waterways.”

To see the team in action, visit their photo gallery.