For three years running, schools, clubs and libraries have been participating in a “One Earth, One Chance – Save the Rain” rain barrel competition. Not only is the importance of water retention demonstrated, the importance of reuse is also a key factor in the competition. Each year, Coca-Cola donates a boatload of syrup concentrate drums to the competition. The drums are then disseminated to the schools and libraries, where they are doled out to artists who proceed to paint them.
Recently, elected officials, art leaders, environmentalists, and business leaders met to announce the winners of the 2015 competition, which amassed completed artistic rain barrels from 52 organizations. This present at the announcement included Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz was joined by Deputy Erie County Executive Maria Whyte, Erie County Legislator Peter Savage (3rd District), Albright Knox Art Gallery Director Dr. Janne Siren, City of Buffalo Common Council Member Michael LoCurto (Delaware District), Director of Operations of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Buffalo Pasquale “Pat” Greco, members of the Western New York Stormwater Coalition, the Erie County Water Quality Committee, and the Erie County Environmental Management Council.
“Rain barrels are an excellent way to prevent storm water runoff and preserve a precious natural resource for better use, they are easy to put in place, and as we see they can be colorful and creative additions to anyone’s backyard,” said Poloncarz. “As I said in my ‘Initiatives for a Smart Economy’ address, green infrastructure is critical in preventing pollution and protecting our environment. Residents and businesses alike are realizing this and taking steps to protect our environment and the legacy we leave behind. I want to thank the Department of Environment & Planning, Coca-Cola Bottling, the Albright Knox Art gallery, and all our partners for their work in raising awareness on this issue, especially with the younger generation.”
Not only did Coca-Cola have the resources to provide the syrup barrels, the company has also rolled out a “Live Positively” campaign, which is designed to focus on watershed protection and conservation efforts. That makes sense, considering that the main ingredient in soda is water. Coca-Cola has set a company goal, to replenish to nature and communities, the same amount of water that it uses in their finished beverages.
“Since 2005, Coca-Cola has saved almost 7 billion gallons of water in the U.S. through water efficiency improvements in our manufacturing facilities, and since 2008 we have donated more than 70,000 ingredient drums for re-use as rain barrels,” said Pat Greco, Director of Operations for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Buffalo. “Water is an essential ingredient in all of our beverages and critical to the sustainability of our business. Through our continued partnership with the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning, today is a day for all of us to make a difference.”
Prizes were awarded to the top barrels from Coca-Cola Bottling. The top finishers in the 2015 Rain Barrel contest are:
Kindergarten-4th grade:
- Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament (1st Place – $500; Teacher – Fran Machowiak)
- Ledgeview Elementary School (2nd Place – $250; Teacher – Kathryn Greene)
- Buffalo Public School #27 Hillery Park (3rd Place – $100; Teacher – Polly Hart)
- Cloverbank Elementary School (Honorable Mention; Teacher – Juliet Szczerbacki)
Middle School:
- Heim Middle School Art Class (1st Place – $500; Teacher – Denise Woods)
- Buffalo Public Community School #53 (2nd Place – $250; Teacher – Anna Leone)
- Buffalo United Charter School (3rd Place – $100; Teacher – Connie Barlow)
- Heim Middle School (Honorable Mention; Teacher – Alison Bozek)
High School:
- Springville Griffith High School Art Class (1st Prize – $500; Teacher – Eunice Reinhold)
- Eden High School Art Class (2nd Prize -$250; Teacher – Lisa Alessi Nicastro)
- East Aurora High School Science Club (3rd Prize – $100; Teacher – Larry Grisanti)
- East High School (Honorable Mention; Teacher – Lawrence Toole)