Community Service Events

Saving our History

 The members of Ridge Valley UCC and members of WRHS gathered on Saturday April 2, 2022 to clear debris from the Ridge Valley Hetrick Cemetery. Rescue and set straight headstones and clean stones without scrubbing by spraying on a biologic that over time will remove moss and dirt, Ridge Valley Hetrick Cemetery is a Union Cemetery.   Roughly half Lutheran and half Reformed. A few graves were Mennonite, as there was a Mennonite Church in Rich Valley until the late 1800’s.  

 

                                                                     Before spraying with Biologic and months after

The cemetery was started in the early 1800’s.  It originally had 3 stone walls.  Many family plots within the  cemetery were also separated by physical delimitations of wood fence / stone markers or stone and pipe barriers (these were removed to allow for easier mowing).

The cemetery originally had flowering bushes and shrubs, they were also removed to help with care.  

The last plots were sold in the early 1900s.  The last burials were in the 1980’s and 90’s.

Originally there was a clear site line to see the churches from the cemetery.  Trees now cover the view.

There was great pride in “family plots”.  Many of the plots in the Hetrick Cemetery were sold for $5 or less in the 1800’s.

Member giving, donations. Because this is a cemetery that no longer has land available, and no plots can be sold there is no funding to care for the headstones. The goal is to build the fund each year. We will have a fund drive in May for Memorial Day and another in November for All Saints Day. Watch for further information for donations.

  

The Historical Society and its members want to preserve our history and heritage, but we also believe in a cleaner safer environment and are involved with a number of community service projects. Our annual shredder event and our annual recycling event not only provide jobs for the community but keep our community cleaner. We also participate in the Great American Clean up and The Historical Society has recently Adopted A Highway. A portion of Allentown Road from  Ridge Valley Road to Esten Road. You can read more about theses projects and see pictures below.

 

PAR Recycle Works Helping to Make a Cleaner Safer World. Come join us for our 5th annual recycling event On October 17th from 9-1

ELECTRONIC WASTE is a serious problem.  E-Waste is an informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their usefulness. Used electronics are one of the fastest growing segments of the waste stream. In 2012, approximately 15 pounds of used electronics was generated per capita world wide but less than 20% was actually recycled. The volume of used electronics is expected to increase over 33% in the coming decades. Mercury, cadmium, phosphors, lead and other metals are common in electronics, as well as plastics and flame retardants that can contaminate the air, water and soil if not disposed of properly. Beyond the environmental risks, unauthorized access to used or discarded devises can lead to security breaches and identity theft. Recovery of valuable metals and other materials for end of life electronics provides a sustainable solution when legitimate reuse is no longer and option. "Urban Mining" for rare and precious materials contained in electronic devise also extends our planets limited supply of natural resources and requires less energy than the mining of new materials, Every used computer, cell phone, laptop and other electronic devise that is collected and recycled has the potential to contribute to a better  and safer planet.

PAR-Recycle Works is a 501(c)3  Federally tax-exempt organization. They are a social enterprise offering environmentally responsible recycling services while providing life-changing workforce training to formerly incarcerated individuals. Taking electronic waste and other recyclables, Par employees deconstruct these items, recycle the materials and dispose of waste safely and cleanly. The scrap metals and other reusable materials collected in this process are than sold to help pay for the salaries and job skill development for formerly incarcerate individuals in order to support their productive re-entry back into society. The business for returning citizens was conceived behind the bars of Graterford prison. PAR ( People Advancing Reintegration) is a peer to peer program that was created to prepare individuals for release back into their communities. Par Recycle Works believes that one of the best crime deterrents is a job. The participates go from costing society to contributing to society through productive out put, self sufficiency and paying taxes. Par Recycle Works puts individuals on a path to employment and self sufficiency in turn decreasing the chance to reoffend, there by reducing crime, strengthening families and keeping communities safer. A PAR Recycle Works representative will be doing a program for the Historical Society In October 8th of 2018. Please come and join us to learn more about PAR and ask any questions you may have about this event that is a win, win event for not only our organization but for the community, surrounding communities and helps make a cleaner safer world.

Shredder Event

Every May the Historical Society  Helps the committee Safely get rid of all those papers you're afraid to put in the trash. Watch as your old bank statements, financial statements, cancelled checks and catalogs are shredded. No need to remove staples, paper clips or binder clips. All shredded material is 100% recycled.

NO cardboard, three ring binders,hard bound books, phone books or thick catalogs. This event is open to the public, residency is not a requirement.

$5 donation per file box. Proceeds go to the Historical Society. Businesses are Welcome

ADOPT A HIGHWAY

The Adopt A Highway program started in 1980's by James Evans of Texas when he spotted debris blowing off the back of a pick up truck. James was employed by the department of transportation in Texas and new how expensive road clean ups were, so he urged local organizations to help clean up sections of road. Through the efforts of Billy Black  who was a public information officer the clean ups were set up quarterly and the volunteers were given safety training, reflective vests, gloves and safety signs as well as the idea of posting Adopt A Highway signs. In 1985 the Tyler Civitan Club became the fist organization to Adopt A Highway. The program was a success and now 49 states Puerto Rico, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Japan all have similar programs although some go by different names like Vermont's program is called "Green Up". The program is set up in two mile increments with a sign posted along the route stating the name of the group adopting and cleaning up that stretch of roadway twice a year. So in that spirt the Historical Society adopted a part of Allentown Road in 2017 from Ridge Valley to Esten Road. We will be out there twice a year in April and October to help keep West Rockhill Beautiful.