Recently two benches were installed at Hilltop Cemetery. Each one represents 1,000 pounds of soft plastic bags that were exchanged with Trex for a bench.
Soft plastic means grocery bags, vegetable bags, sandwich bags, wrappings on paper towels and toilet paper — each of which weighs very little. The 2,000 pounds of soft plastic was collected and weighed by the local Sarah Platt Decker chapter of the Daughters of American Revolution (DAR) members and members of Vets for Vets.
After being weighed and tabulated by Trex, the company recognized the benefit of recycling the plastic by sending the benches.
The collaboration resulted in the two benches that honor Linda Hobbs-Abbott, a dedicated resident and member of the Sarah Platt Decker chapter of the DAR and an advocate of Vets for Vets, as well as Girl Scouts and other groups. She started Wreaths Across America with DAR, which now is coordinated by Vets for Vets. Her energy level was unlimited. Hobbs-Abbott passed away in March 2023.
There also is a bench resulting from previous soft plastic collections at Veterans Memorial Park of Archuleta County at 220 Vista Blvd.
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