Liberty County is well on its way to becoming home of the world's largest crayon after the colorful wax rolled in by the pounds toward the end of the school year.
Nearly all the county's elementary students participated in "Crayon Days," clearing their desks and craft boxes of used crayons to contribute, according to Sara Swida, executive director of Keep Liberty County Beautiful.
With the help of the United Way, KCLB designed the collection as a recycling project for younger children to enjoy, since the recent plastic bottle recycling targeted the middle and high schools.
However, the quest for global recognition has proven to doubly peak the community's interest.
"I had someone yesterday stop me and ask 'How many crayons ya'll got?' " Swida said with a laugh.
The Crayola Corporation's famed "Big Blue," made out of an estimated 123,000 crayons and measuring 15 feet tall, currently holds the top position in the Guinness Book of World Records.
The colossal crayon weighs an estimated 1,500 pounds and the committee is using it as a model.
"We've got right around 700 pounds of crayons at this point," Swida said. "So we're about half way to where they were. And, of course, we want to have more than 1,500 pounds."
Swida said they are on target for meeting their goal, making satisfactory progress since the campaign launch in April.
"We're trying to have this actually done by America Recycles Day which is Nov. 15," Swida said.
Additional help has been solicited from Fort Stewart schools and community events.
"Certainly, we're looking for as many crayons as we can get," she said. "We just want to encourage groups, churches, restaurants to please collect as many crayons as they (can)."
Day care centers also have been encouraged to contribute.
Swida thought it was important for participants understand the crayon collection drive is not just another project with no real principle behind it.
"With the elementary schools, we wanted to come up with a fun idea where children can understand that recycling can make an incredible difference," Swida said. "When we are able to do the crayon, we're expecting national attention."
Enlisting help from welders and an engineer, the committee hopes to start production in October.
Crayons of all colors and sizes are accepted. Donations should have the outer paper removed.
For more information, contact Swida at 368-4888.
Nearly all the county's elementary students participated in "Crayon Days," clearing their desks and craft boxes of used crayons to contribute, according to Sara Swida, executive director of Keep Liberty County Beautiful.
With the help of the United Way, KCLB designed the collection as a recycling project for younger children to enjoy, since the recent plastic bottle recycling targeted the middle and high schools.
However, the quest for global recognition has proven to doubly peak the community's interest.
"I had someone yesterday stop me and ask 'How many crayons ya'll got?' " Swida said with a laugh.
The Crayola Corporation's famed "Big Blue," made out of an estimated 123,000 crayons and measuring 15 feet tall, currently holds the top position in the Guinness Book of World Records.
The colossal crayon weighs an estimated 1,500 pounds and the committee is using it as a model.
"We've got right around 700 pounds of crayons at this point," Swida said. "So we're about half way to where they were. And, of course, we want to have more than 1,500 pounds."
Swida said they are on target for meeting their goal, making satisfactory progress since the campaign launch in April.
"We're trying to have this actually done by America Recycles Day which is Nov. 15," Swida said.
Additional help has been solicited from Fort Stewart schools and community events.
"Certainly, we're looking for as many crayons as we can get," she said. "We just want to encourage groups, churches, restaurants to please collect as many crayons as they (can)."
Day care centers also have been encouraged to contribute.
Swida thought it was important for participants understand the crayon collection drive is not just another project with no real principle behind it.
"With the elementary schools, we wanted to come up with a fun idea where children can understand that recycling can make an incredible difference," Swida said. "When we are able to do the crayon, we're expecting national attention."
Enlisting help from welders and an engineer, the committee hopes to start production in October.
Crayons of all colors and sizes are accepted. Donations should have the outer paper removed.
For more information, contact Swida at 368-4888.