Schuylkill County honors teacher and business for cleanliness

Schuylkill County Commissioners recently recognized a teacher and a local business for their contributions to keeping the area clean. Kaye Schwenk, a biology teacher at Schuylkill Haven High School, and Hydro-Extrusions North America, based in Cressona, were honored for their efforts. Commissioner Larry Padora praised the efforts of both recipients, calling Schuylkill County a great place. Schwenk received the Volunteer of the Year award from Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and is one of seven volunteers statewide to be honored. She was awarded a certificate and glass tumblers made from recycled bottles. Hydro-Extrusions North America won the Community Partner Award, also given to seven community partners in the state. They received a certificate and a plaque from Schuylkill Keep It Pretty (SKIP), which is an affiliate of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. Mandy Fitzpatrick, chairperson of SKIP, highlighted Schwenk's dedication, noting her contributions over the years, including leading various community cleanups and tree planting initiatives. Hydro has actively adopted a highway for over 20 years and organizes events where employees participate in litter cleanup. In 2024, their employees collected 57 bags of trash during fall cleanups along Route 61. Residents are invited to take part in spring cleanups scheduled from April 26 to May 4 in Schuylkill County. Supplies will be provided for volunteers, and interested individuals can contact skiplitter@gmail.com for more information.