Agawam’s Jack Coughlin, left paralyzed after being struck while picking up trash, awarded the Pat Franklin Courageous Spirit Award
Updated Mar 15, 2021;
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Jack Coughlin’s campaign against litter, particularly “nip” liquor bottles, has gained national recognition, even as he remains confined to a hospital bed.
On Thursday, Coughlin was awarded the Pat Franklin Courageous Spirit Award from the Container Recycling Institute, a California-based nonprofit. He was paralyzed in January after being struck by a car while picking up roadside trash in Agawam.
Coughlin, who turned 78 in the days after the collision, was well-known in town for walking the streets every day, picking up litter. He was also an activist for environmental and sportsmen’s causes, and one of the leaders in efforts to improve the Medina Street boat ramp in Chicopee. While raising a family in Springfield, Coughlin had also been active in neighborhood associations in East Forest Park and Sixtee
Environmental activists, politicians hope to follow example set by Jack Coughlin
Updated Mar 01, 2021;
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AGAWAM Unable to move his arms and legs, voiceless and confined to a hospital bed, Jack Coughlin is still leading the movement to keep his town clean.
Coughlin was struck by a vehicle on Jan. 20 on Mill Street near Kensington Street in the Feeding Hills section of town. Despite the cold weather and waning light, he was doing what he did almost every day: walking the streets of his town, picking up trash.
In the weeks since the accident, he’s remained paralyzed and under close care at Baystate Medical Center. But his friends and supporters around town have been busy ensuring that his work goes on.