Teens volunteer to clean up graffiti
Sandpoint Teen Center members, parents and volunteers work to remove graffiti Friday afternoon from the wall and floor of the tea house and stone entryway of Bonner General Hospital's Healing Garden. Supplies to remove the graffi were donated by Merwin's and Sandpoint Super Drug after teens who attend the center offered to remove the graffiti as an act of kindness. (Photo by CAROLINE LOBSINGER)
SANDPOINT - Sometimes the worst circumstances can bring out the best in a community.
That sentiment was proven in the days following a recent vandalism spree in downtown Sandpoint, when a group of young adults decided to donate their time and energy to remove much of the graffiti.
The teens, who all attend the Sandpoint Teen Center, spent Friday afternoon cleaning graffiti from the Healing Garden and a bathroom wall at Jeff Jones Town Square.
"We just wanted to help the community," said volunteer Michael Williams.
Williams was joined by a number of other teens, a few parents and the center's Margareta Larson.
While they are happy to help beautify the city and perform an act of kindess, the teens from the center agreed that whomever is responsible for doing the damage should face stiff punishment.
"When they get caught, they should do some time in juvie - maybe six months. And they should have to come out here and clean up the stuff they did," Williams said.
David Berry, who also helped in the cleanup, said graffiti can be a serious art form, but said the recent vandalism has nothing to do with art.
"(Real artists) should have a place to go where they can do it," Berry said.
The group spent hours cleaning the two locations and have already committed to doing more in the coming weekends, although they are in need of supplies.
To donate dust masks, scrubbers, gloves or Goof Off graffiti cleaner, call Berry at (559) 476-9452.