Funds to assist with Menominee River Monitoring

The Marinette High School Menominee River Monitoring group received a Cellcom green gift today as they worked on the river.

Twice a year for the last four years the chemistry classes at Marinette High School have become Water Action Volunteers for a day. The classes test biological components, chemical components and do clean-up along the Menominee River shores. They then upload their findings into a statewide database for the use of other organizations like the Department of Natural Resources.

“The Water Action Volunteer program gives us a chance to educate our chemistry classes on the importance of waterway monitoring, while giving some hands-on experience,” said Cathy Smiley, the chemistry teacher who coordinates the Menominee River Monitoring group. “We are very grateful for the donation from Cellcom. It will be used to purchase new testing equipment that is more high-tech. This should improve our results and make the data we submit easier to use.”

A total of $25,250 was given out to eight green organizations in Cellcom’s service area.

Since 2004 Cellcom has offered a cell phone recycling program where customers can bring in their old or unwanted phones to be reused and recycled. Cellcom sends the phones to recyclers who in return send money to Cellcom for the materials that were saved from the phones. Cellcom has always donated this money back to local non-profits. This is the first year that Cellcom is donating their recycling funds to green non-profit initiatives in an effort to complete the green cycle that starts with consumers being environmentally-conscious and donating their devices.

“We are constantly taking steps to become more eco-friendly as a company,” said Brighid Riordan, director of public affairs. “By shifting our recycling money to green initiatives, Cellcom continues our longstanding commitment to the community and together we can work toward a greener tomorrow.”

Cellcom’s recycling program has generated $75,000 for local charities over the past six years.

Additional Reources:
Photos for Download - Students working on the river 
Video - Cathy Smiley discusses the work of the group
Water Action Volunteers Website