To borrow from the famous John F. Kennedy quote: ask not what this planet can do for you, but what you can do for this planet? Amy Duckett of Demopolis has already answered this question by being involved in Earth Day activities for many years and helping to raise the awareness of a clean planet to the citizens of Demopolis.

United States Senator Gaylord Nelson carries the title of the founder of Earth Day. He held the first public Earth Day on April 22, 1970 with more than 20 million people demonstrating their support for the idea.

April 22, 2004 will be the 33 Anniversary of Earth Day. Duckett and a few helpers including Hayley Blair, Elizabeth Carrol, and Sarah Cole, as well as her three children Jack, William, and Annabelle celebrated Earth Day a little early this year with a trash pickup at the intersection of Powe Road and Marengo Drive in Demopolis.

“I use to live on Marengo Drive and a friend called me and told me about how messy it looked over here, so I decided to get some help and come clean it up,” Duckett said.

The group met on Friday right after school and spent about an hour cleaning up the intersection. There was a lot of trash scattered just in this little quarter mile area, enough to fill four bags full.

“I can’t believe there was so much trash in just this little area,” Duckett said.

Duckett hasn’t always been the queen of picking-up litter, she admits to having humble beginnings about eight years ago in her fight to keep Demopolis clean. Duckett said she started picking up trash in the beginning when she was taking her daughter for walks back when she was a baby.

“I use to carry a little plastic bag with me when I use to push my daughter on our walks around on the neighborhood,” Duckett said.

She said she noticed the amount of trash started to grow and she knew something needed to be done so she started pushing the Earth Day movement in Demopolis. She also said thanks to the response from the people of Demopolis, the Earth Day events get bigger and better every year.

“This year’s Earth Day will be one the best yet,” Duckett said.

She said Earth Day would be held on Saturday, April 24 at the Demopolis City Landing Pavilion from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. She also said there would be two cash prizes of $200 for each first place team from the two age groups, seven and over and six and under.

She said she wanted to thank the local businesses Robertson Banking Company, Commercial National Bank, Southern Tank Leasing, and Baugh Ford for all their continued support of her fight to keep the city clean.

“Without the support of these businesses, I wouldn’t be able to hold the event, they’re the life blood of this event,” Duckett said.

She said she hopes to see a good turnout from the community and she knows she can always count on the students of Demopolis coming out and helping.

“Two teachers in Demopolis give their students extra points if they come out for Earth Day,” Duckett said.

She said she wanted to issue a very special thank you to Jane Gross because when she first started the movement, she was very helpful in making sure it was a success.