Veteran’s Dedication Brings Community Together with Recycling Initiative

Harry Earehart, a veteran from Imlay City, Michigan, is being recognized by the VFW for his exceptional efforts to improve his community. Over six months, Earehart collected 1,000 pounds of plastic to create a bench for Veterans Park. Now, he’s working on gathering even more plastic to add another bench to the park.

Earehart, along with his wife Rosemary, dedicates weekends to sorting and packing plastic into bags for recycling. “I can get up to 20 pounds per bag,” Harry explained. “You’re allowed four bags a week. We bag it here and take it to Kroger’s.” From there, the plastic is shipped to a company that transforms it into durable outdoor products like benches.

This project was inspired by a bench Earehart noticed at the Maple Vista assisted living facility. He saw the potential for similar benches to benefit Veterans Park and approached the city with his idea. “They said, yes, they would definitely take them,” he recalled.

Rosemary Earehart admires her husband’s dedication. “I just think it’s wonderful that he takes the time to do this because, you know, he’s been a veteran. He knows the need is out there for veterans and to help other people to get inspired to do this.”

To Support the initiative, donation boxes for plastic have been placed at locations such as VFW Post 2492, City Hall, and local grocery stores and churches. Harry hopes more residents will join the effort. “It doesn’t cost them, but it’s kind to do this and it keeps it out of the landfill,” he noted.

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