My fiance (Paul Reid) is a fourth-grade teacher at Twin Lakes Elementary in Federal Way. To my surprise, there was no recycling program in effect at the school. I can only imagine the amount of waste that is created just from kids’ lunches and paper towels alone.

Paul Reid, who is a full-time teacher in charge of student council, stays after and does everything in his power to help any child that is in need of his help — and getting his master’s degree at the same time. He took it upon himself to create a recycling program at the school. He addressed this issue with student council members and got some great ideas. He later came in contact with some very helpful people at Waste Management who have supplied recycle bins, compost bins and compostable bags along with badges for the kids who are recycling helpers at lunch, and a wealth of valuable information.

Paul Reid has been an amazing example to these children in addressing the importance of recycling and caring for our Earth who has given us such an amazing place to live. The environment is very important to us and like I have always said, little things can make a big difference, but big things make an even bigger difference. He has done a big thing and I am so proud.

Sadly, there are probably many more schools that could use a person like him to take initiative. As Paul Reid has shown us, there is no such thing as too busy. Get up people! Do something! Go green!

Megan Hays, Federal Way