The Verona Environmental Commission is celebrating International Walk to School Day by holding its second annual “Idle Free Verona” poster contest.
Meant to inspire more drivers to turn off their car engines while they are waiting for children at school, the contest is open to all Verona public elementary school students in grades 1 through 4. According to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, an idling vehicle emits 20 times more pollution than one traveling at 30 miles per hour. Vehicle exhaust can exacerbate children’s asthma and lead to many more serious diseases.
To enter, children should draw their own “Idle Free Verona” poster on letter-size paper. Put the child’s name and grade on the poster and bring it to school on “Walk to School Day”, which is Wednesday, October 6. All posters will be displayed in school and winners will receive $50 and an certificate signed by Verona’s mayor, Teena Schwartz.
For more information on the effects of a idling vehicle see the presentation on the VEC’s Web site, which was compiled with help from H.B. Whitehorne’s environmental club.
