Eglin Recycling Center rescues two schools’ recycling drives Published June 19, 2006 By Jerron Barnett Eglin Environmental Public Affairs EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Two local elementary school teachers received a total of $5,000 in educational grants after they collected 7,490 phone books, or just shy of 7.5 tons, as part of the nation-wide R.H. Donnelly’s Recycle for Teachers program. But as the program neared its May 8 starting date, the teachers faced a problem. Without a recycling center to take the phone books to, they could not participate in the program. Faced with this challenge, officials from RHD, publisher of Sprint Yellow Pages and sponsor of the program, called Jim Reece, Okaloosa County’s recycling coordinator, for advice. Enter Eglin’s Recycling Center. A day later, RHD was informed that Eglin and the county’s Allied Waste Services had agreed to provide recycling services for the teacher’s efforts. “I saw it as a winning situation for everyone involved — the schools, the recycling center and the environment,” Bill Long, Eglin Recycling Center manager said. “It was also an opportunity to make money, money that helps pay expenses of the recycling program. Any money left over at the end of the year can go towards Eglin quality-of-life programs.” Barbara Smith, a Cherokee Elementary School pre-kindergarten disabilities instructor located on Eglin, and Tracy Teusch of Longwood Elementary in Shalimar, were now set to host phone book recycling drives at their respective schools from May 8 to June 8. An incentive for participating in the drive was RHD-donated $5,000, which would be split up between the schools. Longwood Elementary collected 5.89 tons of phone books, so they will receive a $3,500 educational grant. Cherokee Elementary collected 1.6 tons, so that school will get $1,500. The RHD program combines two great causes, helping the environment and supporting local teachers. “Each year, teachers are faced with the challenge of working around budget cuts and lack of funding to provide their students with the best possible learning environment,” Jennifer Sherron, R.H. Donnelley spokesperson, said. “R. H. Donnelley recognizes the importance of education in each community and created Recycle for Teachers to involve residents in reaching for higher educational goals.” RHD officials were very gracious of the support given by the Eglin Recycling Center and AWS, who provided recycling bins for the books and the weighing services of them free of charge. “Without the help of Bill Long and Eglin Air Force Base, we could not have held our Recycle for Teachers drive in Fort Walton Beach,” Ms. Sherron said. “We had run out of local recycling options and were very close to canceling our recycling campaign when Bill stepped in to help us. Thanks to Bill and Eglin’s generosity, two Fort Walton Beach teachers will get the grant money they deserve.” Ms. Smith said the money will enable her to purchase research-based supplemental materials that will be used to provide age-appropriate developmental activities. These activities will enhance growth in the areas of communication, fine and gross motor, self help, social and cognitive skills.