OPINION: Capable residents should start initiative to make community better

Sammy Abraham is a fine role model not just for his fellow Florence residents, but all of Florence County, where litter is a constant problem. In fact, his is a story that should give folks everywhere the motivation to make their neighborhoods better places to live.
Abraham moved to Kershaw Street in Florence about a year ago. The neighborhood had gained notoriety for reported drug activity and the discovery of two women’s bodies in shallow graves last fall.
Abraham wasn’t going to take it. He wanted to enjoy the experience of sitting on his front porch. He decided that “Alfred Hitchcock mess” was better off staying on TV instead of in his neighborhood.
Abraham got up and cleaned the overgrown vines, branches and trash that were bringing the neighborhood down. He’s also worked all over Florence to clean up leaves and garbage. Back in his own neighborhood, he turned a vacant lot overgrown with kudzu into a “green park.”
“That’s exactly how I wanted it to look,” Abraham said with a smile during a Morning News interview. “It’s just good to get out there and sweat and take your breaks and work some more. It makes me feel good just to do it.”
Moreover, his neighbors appreciate it, and some gave him a restaurant gift card as a token of their gratitude.
“I’ve lived here 30 years or more, and all I’ve had is drug dealers to live next door to me. I’ve had nothing but bad neighbors,” said Betty Hicks, Abraham’s next-door neighbor. “I’ve opened up my shades in the morning and I’ve seen him trimming my shrubs.”
Mayor Stephen J. Wukela even stopped by to give Abraham his personal thanks.
Those who are capable should get out and help Abraham or step up and start a cleanup of their own.
Keep Florence Beautiful is one way to get involved, along with a crowd of hundreds, in improving our community. Those in our smaller local towns have their chance to pitch in, as well; Lake City recently held its Citywide Cleanup Day, which culminated in the collection of about 70 bags of trash; 125 tires; and 20 cubic yards of twigs, branches and other items.
While it’s important for people to take part in these citywide activities, it shouldn’t be a one-weekend or one-day mind-set. Everyone needs to take some initiative. A small start could be simply to avoid littering.
Keep a heightened awareness of the damage we can cause our environment. Don’t grow so numb to the sight of the empty cups, cans and bags we see in the ditches along our local roads that you think flicking a cigarette butt out the window won’t do any harm.
Keep in mind that there’s a proper place for everything, and that includes trash.
Also, don’t forget the example we set for our children. What they see grown-ups doing will shape their behaviors. Adults should be like Abraham, being a good steward and positive role model for future generations.

— Unsigned editorials represent the views of this newspaper. Editorial Board members are Mark Laskowski (regional publisher), James Bennett (regional editor), Sam Bundy (sports editor), Kimberly Ginfrida (news editor), David Johnson (regional circulation director), Charles Tomlinson (Lake City News & Post editor) and Jackie Torok (metro editor).