Whiz Kid: A Seven-Year-Old on a Mission to Save the Earth

After spending a recent afternoon with her father at , seven-year-old Gabby Toms realized she didn’t like the litter she saw on the ground.

So she did something about it.

The second-grader went home, got a full-size garbage bag and cleaned the park. She lugged the rubbish around the park like a badge of honor.

Did we mention she is seven years old?

She collected bags of cans, bottles and boxes, then sorted and recycled them all.

It was an appropriate way to spend the afternoon, she said, because she’d just learned about Earth Day in Erin Hennessey’s class at .

“It felt good,” said Gabby, who was a little shy sharing her experience.

Gabby’s parents, Darren and Missy Toms, couldn’t be prouder.

Darren recalls Gabby’s explanation: “If we don’t take care of the Earth, it won’t be here.”

Do you know a Whiz Kid? Please send an email to colin.mcewen@patch.com to nominate a child in Lakewood doing something extraordinary.