As the spring sun melts the snow in Nome, trash and other debris left by winter winds gets caught in the tundra and scattered along the beaches and roads. This time of year, you can often see Nome resident Mary Reader out walking carrying a bright yellow trash bag in one hand and a grabber in the other.
Mary was born and raised in Nome. She likes to stay busy, but she also has a personal reason for picking up trash every spring.
“I lost my son, it’ll be 20 years ago on Memorial Day. And I needed something to do to help me deal with my grief and my sadness, and I don’t sit still very well,” Reader said.
Mary explained that some people turn to unhealthy habits when they’re grieving, but she chose cleaning up her town. She said picking up trash gives her quiet time to think and a chance to feel close to the loved ones she has lost.
Even though Mary doesn’t look for praise, people still show their appreciation. She remembered one time when a stranger tossed $100 into her car while she was picking up trash near Nome’s Monofill. “He said, ‘buy yourself some flowers!’ I was like, ‘that’s too much!” then he took off,” Reader said. Reader said she hopes her actions set an example for others, realizing we’re all on this planet together. “You know, this is it. This is our planet and you know, we need to take care of her. She’s a her, in my mind,” Reader said.
