Ridgefield Volunteers Kick Butts

Ridgefield, WA, April 9, 2009 – Butts were kicked in Ridgefield on March 25, 2009 by approximately 30 volunteers. The butts were used cigarettes picked up in the historic downtown area of Ridgefield for the annual “Kick Butts Day”.

Volunteers included Students against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Club from View Ridge Middle School, Cub Scouts from Den 310 and their leaders Stacey Johnson and Kyle Gray, Long Vue from Clark County Public Health and parent Heather Keen. The event was organized by Cathy den Boer from the Educational Service District 112.

The volunteers picked up between 800 and 1,000 cigarette butts in approximately one hour. After all of their hard work, the volunteers were treated to ice cream from Ridgefield Pioneer Marketplace and gourmet cookies from Zebrun’s Starliner.

Cathy den Boer said, “The students had a great time and they felt good about doing something for the community”.

“Kick Butts Day” started in 1996 and thousands of kids from all 50 states participate each year. Nationwide, multi-city initiatives empower young people to join the fight against tobacco. Aimed at curbing tobacco use among kids and exposing harmful youth-targeted marketing tactics, Kick Butts Day mobilizes America’s kids as leaders and advocates.

Steve Wall, Public Works Director for the City of Ridgefield commented that, “The volunteers provided time and effort for a great cause and helped clean up historic downtown Ridgefield while doing it. The City has been blessed in recent years with a significant amount of volunteerism. This is the first time an event for Kick Butts Day has been held in Ridgefield and with the great success the students and volunteers had, I hope we can continue this tradition into the future.”