A Transition of Season: Keep Sidney Beautiful Welcomes New Executive Director

The heat of summer has hit its peak sizzle, as we enjoy the last remnants of summer's lush color and bloom. As we await the magical transformation of fall and experience the change in seasons, Keep Sidney Beautiful has passed the baton to its newest Executive Director, Michelle Haun. Already experienced in sowing the seeds of positive change in the community, Haun has spent the last year inspiring local youth and the surrounding areas to "get up and recycle" during her time as Educational Director.

A passionate and avid recycler, Haun decided to leap into the public sphere of nonprofits by applying as a Director in the late summer of 2023. "I've always understood the importance of carbon footprints and recycling," Haun stated. "The knowledge I've gained from this position has been important. I've learned about Sidney's ecosystem and how our program contributes to it, and that we all need to be aware of the obvious problem litter creates." Hahn hopes to leave a lasting legacy that betters the surrounding areas. "You don't know what you don't know, there is no blame, but we need to learn and realize this does matter. We're here to help, but we can't do it alone."

The City of Sidney is responsible for the recycling bins located on Dorwart Drive. Working towards a future for KSB's recycling system, "Our goal for Keep Sidney Beautiful is to expand. As Executive Director, and with the help of the board, we'd like to make a goal of Sidney having an actual recycling center," Haun states, "Smaller towns such as Kimball, Ogallala, and even Alliance already have these facilities. With ours, whenever it happens, we'd like to focus on what is not being utilized now; items such as glass, batteries, and household hazardous waste. We as humans use so much more than just paper, cardboard, and plastic."

The impact expands out past the need to recycle and KSB's trash pick up programs. "This year we created a summer pick up program tailored towards kids; being introduced so young into implementing such an important task in their lives, it can change their friend's lives too," Haun encourages. Working to keep Sidney beautiful in multiple facets, the organization also introduced its Open Mic Night to the community last winter, giving Sidney a chance to showcase local talent. A passion project of Haun's, the idea first transpired from her own poetry works, "To me, beautification is not only visual, it is building connections as well," she said.

With a lot of hard work, Keep Sidney Beautiful's annual Great Trash Race collected 40 bags totaling over 1,000 lbs. Gathered in only a few hours from two separate locations Haun remarked, "That's both an exciting and concerning number. If that amount was picked up from just one spot in Sidney, then we have a much bigger problem to tackle."

To date, KSB has collected nearly 70 bags of trash since the beginning of 2024. Keep Sidney Beautiful goes far past the obvious of murals, flowers, and planting new trees, although each of these contributes towards making our small town more visually stunning. According to Haun, "Keep Sidney Beautiful can lead the cause, but it is not our whole responsibility, we need your help."

Sandra Buckner, Keep Sidney Beautiful's previous Executive Director will be filling the spot of President while Haun makes this transition.

August 1st marked the beginning of Haun's positional change. With an arsenal of ideas on the horizon, Keep Sidney Beautiful is soon to be setting plans in motion. "Trash isn't going to pick itself up," Haun notes with a chuckle.

If you would like to contribute to Keep Sidney Beautiful through monetary donation or trash collection, contact them by calling (308)-249-3609.

Author Bio

Kelsey Arrington, Staff Reporter

Cheyenne County native, local business owner.