I received this in an email from my sister a few days ago and I wanted to share it with all of you. I hope you all not only take the time to read this message, but to act on what is fast becoming an epidemic.
Do you remember……
… the television commercial with the Native American overlooking the highway? As cars drove by the passengers would throw trash out of the windows. There was a zoom into the face of this native American, who was dressed in traditional clothing and a single tear flowed down his face.
“People start pollution. People can stop it. Keep America Beautiful” That was the ad slogan. (To watch the commercial, go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a7K2uCJvvg )
It has since been replaced by more urgent messages. “Friends don’t let friends drive drunk.” and “Say no to drugs.” as well as the myriad of stop smoking campaigns. All are great causes and well deserving of the time and money devoted to them. The “People start pollution…” is not vital to our health and well being. Or is it…
I live in a nice neighborhood. Middle class America – responsible, respectable. As I walk to the park near my home I am astounded by the amount of trash in the streets. One candy wrapper here and another soda bottle there, not overwhelming amounts but enough to be noticed. Enough for me to be saddened.
Thus was born…
TAKE THE LITTER CHALLENGE
This is a three part challenge
1. PICK IT UP.
Every day pick one piece of trash from the ground that is not yours. If you forget one day, pick up two the next. Make an event of it. Take the family out on a walk one day a week and every member remove 7 pieces of trash. Carry a plastic bag around with you so you can dispose of the trash later in it’s proper receptacle. “PEOPLE CAN STOP IT.”
2. DON’T CONTRIBUTE.
Don’t throw anything on the ground the wasn’t there to start with. That includes cigarette butts. Put them in those plastic bags you’re carrying around to throw out other people’s trash. Not even a straw wrapper. “PEOPLE CAN STOP IT.”
3. PASS IT ALONG.
Send this to everyone you know. That means I should get this message back. Hopefully several times as those of you who are willing take up the challenge. Tell those you know about it. Get the kids involved. Just pass it along.
Soon the people removing the trash will outnumber the people contributing to the trash. And we won’t need a million dollar ad campaign to do it. Just people caring and passing the message along.
KEEP THE WORLD BEAUTIFUL.
People start pollution, people can stop
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