(left to right) Matt Garten, Board of Supervisors; Kawahna Persinger, Iron Gate mayor; Hannah Wilkerson; Jeff Irvine, Clifton Forge mayor; and Fred Forbes III, Covington mayor.

Local Government Officials Meet to Sign Children's Environmental Health Day Proclamation By Jennifer Bailey Staff Writer Covington, VA (Sept. 26, 2025)— Around 3:00 p.m. on Friday, September 26, several government officials met up at Covington City Hall to sign a proclamation declaring October 9th as Children's Environmental Health (CEH) Day. The proclamation was proposed by Hannah Wilkerson who not only volunteers for Clifton Forge Parks and Trails, but has a five year history with the Children's Environmental Health Network serving as their External Relations and Creative Manager. The Children's Environmental Health Day Proclamation notes that its aim is "to raise awareness about the importance of clean air and water, safe food and consumer products, healthy environments, and stable climates to children's health and development" and that it is "observed on the second Thursday in October as a means to celebrate the progress of the children's environmental health movement and create a strong network of child health advocates" as it intends to "safeguard the health, safety, and well-being of our most precious resource: children."

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