Created on Thursday, 09 April 2009 15:09
Contact: Collette DuValle, 317-373-2391
Student Project Aids In Mosquito Fight
An Indianapolis Public Schools student’s interest in mosquitoes has led to his school hosting the county’s first 2009 Tire Amnesty Day event.
In cooperation with the Marion County Health Department, the Center for Inquiry, 725 North New Jersey St., will hold a tire collection day on Saturday, April 18 from 10 a.m. to noon. This is the first time a school has hosted this event.
The idea came after 5th-grader Patrick Knorr visited the Marion County Health Department’s Mosquito Control Program in March as part of a class project. After learning that old tires create nearly perfect mosquito breeding environments, he went back to school and asked about hosting a Tire Amnesty Day. School officials agreed to support the event.
Tire Amnesty Day encourages Marion County residents to drop off a maximum of six passenger tires, off of the rim, at no charge.
“We appreciate Patrick, the Center for Inquiry and the Indianapolis Public Schools for participating,” said Virginia A. Caine, M.D., director, Marion County Health Department.
By dropping off the tires, local residents improve the environment, enjoy a convenient opportunity to get rid of unwanted passenger tires and eliminate a major mosquito-breeding site.
In 2008, the Marion County Health Department collected more than 15,966 unwanted tires.
The health department will host its own Tire Amnesty Day June 13 at Mosquito Control Headquarters, 4001 East 21st Street, from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. For more information, contact mosquito control at 317-221-7440.
