Everything Under The Sun: It Just Takes One Person

Larie McKeever, dressed for her daily walk.

Many people engage in daily walks for various reasons, chief among them probably being to improve or maintain health. Then there are those whose doctors prescribe a daily walk of a certain distance, such as a mile - or even two. Daily walks are also part of the mending process after a person has had a heart attack - that's part of cardiac rehabilitation.

Then there are those who take walks out of habit, a habit they developed when they were young, perhaps with a parent who wanted to share a love of nature. 80-year-old Larie McKeever started walking when she was young. Walks with her dad in Story City, Iowa, and along the way this twosome would pick up any trash that they spotted. Larie recounted, "I think about my dad a lot when I'm walking. I think about how proud he would be that I'm still picking up litter, all these years later."

For that is what Ms. McKeever does on her daily walks of three miles along Golf Course Road in Crystal Lake, Illinois. You'd have to be up early to spot her on her walks, dressed in an orange safety vest and carrying trash bags. Into the bags go pieces of garbage and trash that she spots along her route. She stated, "I try to leave the house as soon as it's light outside. But if I open my door and it's pouring down rain, I won't walk. Then again, if it starts raining while I'm on my walk, I won't turn back."

There are all kinds of things that Larie spots on her walks, too. There are the usual wrappers that have been discarded on the road, but she's also found such valuables as credit cards and driver's licenses. She usually recovers those and sends them to the proper agency. Aluminum cans are usually recycled in exchange for some money, which she donates to the local food bank.

Like many others who are taking prescribed walks, Ms. McKeever has also found that her walks have health benefits, too. She has aortic stenosis, which narrows the aorta, and may eventually need surgery to replace the valve, but her cardiologist is also pleased with her daily exercise routine. She reported, "He told me to just keep doing what I'm doing. Improving my health has been one of the most rewarding things about my walks."

Ms. McKeever has really become a regular figure along her route, too. Drivers slow down to wave and exchange a few words with her. Neighbors have been known to leave cookies or notes of thanks at her door. Some provide additional aluminum cans by the bagful to support her recycling efforts. Even local government officials have expressed appreciation. Victor Ramirez, director of public works in Crystal Lake, said, "We certainly appreciate all she does. Many on my staff have seen her out walking, and it's inspiring to us. She has taken it upon herself to instill a greater sense of pride in the community."

Ms. McKeever adding some trash to her bag.

Nothing like being a role model for others. For, these days one can spot others, runners or walkers, headed down the same roadway that Ms. McKeever uses, also carrying trash bags and picking up trash along their exercise route. What a wonderful idea for those who enjoy daily walks or runs! You won't even get bored with the scenery; you'll be trying to spot trash that begs for removal on your exercise trail.