Roots & Wings Online

Drew Davidson was out for a long walk with his one-year-old Pointador puppy when he came across something that caught his attention. A person was walking towards him from a distance. He was carrying something in each hand. The person would occasionally disappear in between shrubs and emerge, placing pieces of trash into a bucket using a picker device. 

As Drew passed the person on the shared sidewalk, he greeted the gentleman with a "hello" and learned that the person was out on a walk and picking up pieces of debris and trash that had blown into the planter beds and shrubs. In that brief interaction, Drew thanked this person for their effort.

Something resonated with Drew as he passed this stranger along his 5-mile walk. "I started thinking of an area close to my home where I could do something similar," he said.

Later that day, Drew felt compelled to share his impressionable encounter. This seemingly small thing was actually a significant effort and contribution to the community. 

In his post to the Ladera Ranch Neighbors Facebook page, Drew wrote, "I don't know who this is, and I didn't get permission to post his picture, but this is an unsung hero. He is walking around, picking up trash in the landscaping. We could all have a little more civic pride like he does. Bravo Zulu*!" Drew included a photo he took of the gentleman from a distance. 

William Feige is a self-proclaimed "regular guy" who said he is "just trying to do his part to help keep Ladera Ranch clean."

LARCS staff had the privilege of meeting William and the opportunity to get to know him.

LaderaLife: It's good meeting you, William. Tell us a little about yourself. 
William: My name is William. I work at a local school and enjoy being a positive role model for kids. In my free time, I enjoy walking, riding my Peloton bike, playing Pickleball, and trying new coffee shops. I love meeting people in our community. if you see me around town, please say "hi"! 

LaderaLife: How did you get started helping to keep Ladera litter-free?
William: I moved to Ladera Ranch in 2020, My sister and her family helped me discover the wonderful town of Ladera Ranch when they moved here the year prior. I loved the community and followed suit. After I moved to Ladera, I started going on long walks around town, and I noticed that there was litter around town. I decided that I wanted to make a difference and help clean up our community. Now, when I go on my walks, I pick up trash and get exercise at the same time! I try to get out as much as possible when I’m not working. 

LaderaLife: We heard that you received some attention recently for your work.
William: I was surprised to see my photo posted to the Ladera Ranch Neighbors page. A gentleman, who is a Ladera resident, had taken my picture and shared it with the group, along with some kind words. Many people have thanked me for keeping Ladera clean. I'm grateful for the positive reaction that I've received from people; it inspires me to do more. I’ve had people approach me during my walks and thank me for keeping Ladera Ranch clean. 

LaderaLife: Are there any words that you would like to share with your Ladera neighbors?
William: For those thinking of giving back to the community, I believe that every small thing counts - so don’t hesitate to help whenever you can. Be positive and kind, and teach/model how to pick up after ourselves and care for our community. 

William's story spotlights the fact that there are good people who are doing remarkable, selfless acts of service each day. It's encouraging to see the ripple effect that William's actions have to inspire others to take a proactive role in fostering a strong sense of community. 

As a small token of appreciation, the LARCS team presented William with a bag of Ladera swag (Ladera Ranch branded items) that William appreciated. 

When asked why he shared the post with his neighbors, Drew said, "There are enough negative stories in the news and online. I wanted to share a good story that would encourage others to do likewise."  

Thank you, William, for modeling leadership and service in action. And thank you, Drew, for sharing this positive story.

2024 Volunteer Recognition Awards
If you would like to nominate William or someone serving our community for the annual Ladera Ranch Volunteer Recognition Awards, visit LaderaLife and nominate someone today. 

Below: The LARCS team presented William with this small token of appreciation. 

*Bravo Zulu is the Navy's term for a job well done. Drew said, "My father served in the U.S. Navy so when we did something exceptionally well, he would tell us 'Bravo Zulu!'."