We can't help being impressed by both those who organize community clean-ups and those who actually devote a couple of free hours to actually donning gloves and vests, and bend their backs to pick up the trash from the sides of roads, parks, parking lots and any place else where this garbage accumulates.

So yes, on behalf of the community, we offer our thanks to the people who are trying to get the litter off the ground and into areas where it belongs.

And let us all think harsh thoughts about the slobs who are responsible for the mess in the first place.

We don't mean to come off sounding holier than thou on this. Few among us could honestly say we have never littered. True, for the most part, we try to avoid leaving our garbage lying out in the open where all can see it, but we all make mistakes. We all drop things from time to time. Or we might toss something toward a trash bin, and in our haste fail to notice that we missed. In our daily lives, filled with certain amounts of stress and preoccupation, we might just forget the basic rules and drop some garbage that we shouldn't.

But even granting the benefit of the doubt to some litterbugs, that can't completely explain all the garbage on the streets, in the parks, and at all the places where people hang around.

Maybe they just don't care, or they're too lazy to pick up after themselves, or they figure someone else will do the job for them.

And the problem seems to be getting worse.

Teams of volunteers were out picking up trash at a couple of locations in King Township Saturday. Workers commented the litter volume seemed to be a lot higher than in previous years.

Could the harsh winter we've just put behind us have something to do with that, or are we dealing with the fact there are more inconsiderate people out there making bigger messes than before?

It's heartening to know there are people out there willing to pitch in and pick up. But it is also, alas, a sad reality that we have to depend on these people, because those really responsible for the problem are doing basically little to solve it. They leave the mess for someone else.

Disgraceful!

There are more events coming up for those interested in really being part of the solution.

War Against Litter in King (WALK) is planning another community cleanup. This one will be May 3 at the parking lot at the interchange of Highway 400 and King Road, starting at 10 a.m.

And clean-up activities are planned for Laskay May 10.

The reality is officially organized and sanctioned clean-up events aren't really needed. Just look around. Due to all the litter bugs, there's a lot to be picked up, and it's not hard to find.

And please accept our thanks in advance.