Submitted photo Elkins Mountain School residents perform upkeep on the Rosie the Riveter statue in the All-Veterans Memorial Park.

ELKINS – A team of local volunteers has joined forces with a group of residents from the Elkins Mountain School on a statue preservation and beautification project for the Rosie the Riveter Statue that stands in the All-Veterans Memorial Park.

Local volunteers Linda Shomo, Mary Higgins and Tammy Dolly made up the “Rosie Team” that spearheaded the project and recruited the Mountain School boys and their supervisor, Carrie Moore.

The groups combined for two productive days of community service and hands-on learning that included applying protective paste wax to the bronze Rosie the Riveter Statue for the first time.

“The boys learned the proper techniques for applying a thin coat of wax using sponges and horsehair brushes,” Shomo told The Inter-Mountain. “The project provided valuable instruction in teamwork, attention to detail, and the importance of preserving historical monuments for future generations.”

After applying the wax to the statue, the two sides worked to prepare the All-Veterans Memorial Park for America’s upcoming 250th birthday celebration by wrapping trees throughout the park, which will help create a patriotic atmosphere for the community.

“After the first day, the boys from the Mountain School returned to the park to complete the polishing process of the statue,” Shomo said. “Working safely from ladders and demonstrating outstanding teamwork, they meticulously buffed the statue to a brilliant shine.”

Shomo said the residents from the Mountain School carefully cleaned and polished the most intricate details of the statue using five-inch horsehair shoeshine brushes, medium-sized toothbrushes and thin wooden rods.

The groups also worked on the statue’s surrounding landscape by weed-eating and spreading mulch.

“Through these activities the boys gained valuable landscaping skills, while learning the importance of maintaining attractive public spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy,” Shomo said. “The two-day project was a tremendous success, bringing together volunteers, community leaders, and youth to share an effort to preserve local history.”

At the conclusion of the work, the Mountain School residents and the Rosie Team were treated to a lunch provided by Liz Bowers at Scottie’s Restaurant, located close to the statue.