Leonard has worked for the city of Abilene’s Environmental Recycling Center for 10 years, contributing his time and energy to keeping Abilene beautiful. The center’s ‘one stop drop’ philosophy leads it to accept all types of recyclable materials, from aluminum, glass and paper to scrap metal, hazardous household waste, oil and tires, and e-waste. While Leonard puts in the standard 40 hours each week, he is rarely content to leave it at that –  between conducting tours of the recycling center and volunteering for Keep Abilene Beautiful, he generally works an additional 30 or so hours each week! KAB can count on his help for every cleanup event it hosts, and he also lends a hand at least three times a year to create KAB floats for local parades. Many Abilenians have also spotted him in costume as Pepe ReNew, KAB’s friendly mascot.

Leonard is a member of the State of Texas Alliance for Recycling and its affiliate group the Compost Advisory Council; he also sits on the safety committee for the Texas chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America. He is unfailing in his commitment to both Abilene and the environment; Leonard always answers the call to make presentations to local civic groups and schools, at trade shows and conferences. He supports smaller schools and educational outlets throughout the area and has also presented at Keep Texas Beautiful workshops. Moreover, Leonard keeps a finger on the pulse of Abilene’s business community – he has helped several local businesses create and sustain recycling programs, and is currently responsible for 195 on-site recycling containers across the city.

Keep Abilene Beautiful and Keep Texas Beautiful offer a huge ‘thank you!’ to Leonard for all he does to support his community, the environment, and the wonderful state of Texas!

Know someone who’s deserving of volunteer of the month? Contact Anne Cunic to nominate them!