FOR A GOOD CAUSE -- Davis Stieve

Amy R. Spurgeon

While two Santa Ana Heights siblings work on their education inside,

their father is not far away, working toward the same goal.

Since 1994, volunteer Davis Stieve has been working with a handful of

other parent volunteers, orchestrating and executing a paper drive at

Mariners Elementary School. The drive has been so successful that Ensign

Middle School officials have agreed to pick up the project this year.

And it’s paying off -- roughly $550 a month, said Stieve, a proud

stay-at-home dad. All of the money goes directly into the PTA fund at

Mariners. Profits from Ensign’s paper drive have not yet been designated.

Stieve’s commitment to the paper drive started when his youngest child

enrolled at Mariners for kindergarten. He noticed another dad working the

paper drive beat and quickly joined in. But it was Stieve who kept the

drive going.

The paper drive at Mariners consists of five, large, bright blue metal

bins nestled together at one end of the parking lot. Twice a day, Stieve

sorts and places donated paper into its proper bin. A Santa Ana recycling

company empties the bins weekly.

One advantage enjoyed by the Mariners paper drive is its location. Only a

sidewalk separates it from busy Irvine Avenue. But that can also create

some problems.

“People go by and think it’s trash,” Stieve said. “Sometimes you get

bagged dog droppings or the occasional set of golf clubs.”

Stieve turns over items he deems reusable to the principal, including

unused note pads or historic newspapers that can be put on display.

“It’s great,” said Mariners Principal Mary Ann Ehret. “It shows the kids

that there is an emphasis on recycling. It heightens awareness.”The paper

drive will continue all year as long as thereare hands to help sort the

material. Stieve hopes to enlist volunteers to help with the paper drive

during the summer.

FYI

To get involved with Mariners School’s paper drive, contact Principal

Mary Ann Ehret at (949) 515-6960. Mariners Elementary School is at 2100

Mariners Drive, Newport Beach.