By KATHY COPELAND / Community Columnist

Earth Day is Sunday, April 22. Celebrations, expressed in a variety of ways, will occur all over the country. Each one is designed to demonstrate appreciation of the natural beauty of our planet and the need to care for it.

Some groups plant trees; there are concerts, speeches and clean-up days. Alabama PALS (People Against a Littered State) annually sponsors “Don’t Drop it on Alabama” awareness week; this year scheduled for April 21-28. The city of Vincent is holding its Annual Spring Cleanup on Friday, April 20 through Sunday, April 22.

Taking care of our earth is a responsibility, not just a once-a-year celebration. In a recent conversation with Robert Kidd of Vincent about leadership qualities, he shared his insights having served on the Council for 20 years.

“Nothing in this life really belongs to us,” he said. “We are only stewards.”

When asked, “Is that why you pick up litter when you go for walks?” he responded, “God gave us a beautiful earth; we should take care of it. Picking up litter really started with my wife.”

He explained she was “a doer” in the community and in the church. He lost her to cancer when his son – now grown, married and successful – was only 15.  He shared how they brought in a trailer and picked up trash around the community, and he enjoys going for walks and also gets to church early and picks up around the church.

He is a tall man, easily spotted in a crowd. Kidd’s most intriguing characteristic is his gentle, unassuming demeanor, an admirable leadership quality. He is a man of few words, a man who when he does speak, he speaks with conviction. “I love my community, so I want to take care of it,” he said.

Responding to the question, “Why do you think people litter?” Kidd said, “Respect.”  Referring back to stewardship, he chuckled and said, “Some people say to me, ‘When you gonna get some mud on that jeep?’ I keep my jeep clean because it’s important to take care of what you have. I am thankful for my blessings.”

Kidd was quick to point out he was not the only one who cares about the community, noting a group up the road from him that keeps their area clean too. They call themselves the Highway 466 Association.

“They organize events geared toward children and families, and community service events for the community,” he said. “They do a real good job too.”

Responding to ways to address litter in our community, he said, “The kids.”

“Those kids will get onto their mommas and daddies,” he said. “Just don’t put it down there.”

Vincent Elementary kids are taught, “Change starts with me.” An old slogan addressing litter is: “The Cure for Litter is…You.” Kidd walks the walk.