We celebrated our 20th Earth Day with a fantastic event on the Clear Creek Trail.

About 70 Central Kitsap High School students from Bill Wilson’s classes put in 400 feet of trail in the last downtown section behind Car Toys off Silverdale Way.

Twelve Sailors from the Bangor Intermediate Maintenance Facility also came out to assist.

Sid Williams and Thomas Hunter from the Silverdale Water District added tools and adult direction.

Lori Raymaker from the Kitsap County Parks Department brought more tools. The kids really hustled and were lots of fun to be around.

A very generous Peter Braun, of Taco Bell, provided burritos for the hungry kids as he has done each Earth Day for the past 20 years!

The way the community supports this event is truly inspirational.

Every year, the students come motivated and eager to work. In no time at all, they figure out what needs to be done, and do it. It is a joy to share their enthusiasm and energy. The most rewarding thing about the Clear Creek Trail Earth Day event is the way folks come together to improve their community and have a great time doing it! You just feel good hanging around them.

To all who pitched in, thanks a million.

Tex Lewis — Clear Creek Task Force