Earth Day: We cleaned up the area around the Melina Mercouri Indoor Stadium

In celebration of Earth Day (22/4), we organised a beautiful clean-up action in the area around the Melina Mercouri Indoor Gym in Rethymno (Greece), as part of SOPI's AthlitAct initiative.

We may have started with a goal of 30–45 minutes, but everyone's enthusiasm eventually lasted us for 1 hour, with the participation of 10 people, including 5 elementary/kindergarten children. Their presence was perhaps the most optimistic part of the day. As we cleaned, spontaneous phrases such as: "Why are they throwing this here?", "I never throw garbage down!" could be heard. And there we understood that environmental awareness is built from a young age - not only with words, but with experiences and children's participation in ACTIONS.

In total, we collected (just) 4 large bags of trash, with various items found mainly on the sea side and the parking lot of the stadium: cigarette butts, cables, toilet seats, slippers, clothes, bags, bottles, coffee cups and other smaller waste.

The problem with cigarette butts at the entrance and in the front area was particularly acute. It is an issue that needs special attention and we will include it in the planning of our next actions.

The founder and ED of our team states:

"I was glad that even at the last minute, with the contribution of information through sports club and group discussions, we had participation. I was ready to go to "battle" with the garbage of some... fools, because this place (the area around the city's indoor gym) is a place of sports, entertainment and education. We cannot pollute such spaces. Athletes, families and visitors to our city are hosted there every week. The image we show to the outside reflects how much we care about our place and the natural environment. However, 9 more people followed. Slowly the 2 people became 4 and the 4 became 10! Why? Because they understood the need... Such actions remind us that hope will not fade in the new generation. When children participate, ask questions, care and... set an example, then there is real perspective of change. We hope that this initiative will be an occasion for even more similar actions in our city."

Thank you to everyone who participated - children and adults. When athletes, parents, children and friends of the clubs & community work together, the future really changes. And we would like to say that Earth Day is not just a date. It is a reminder that each of us can do something small, which ultimately becomes big.