STURGIS - A Sturgis youngster was thanked for service to his community by the Sturgis City Council Wednesday night.

Eleven-year-old Jimmy Snyder, son of Al and Angie Snyder of Sturgis, was honored for going above and beyond by picking up not only the remains of his spent fireworks this week, but also those of his neighbors. 

The city learned of Jimmy’s effort through a Facebook post by Kat Evans who shared that Snyder came to her door to ask if it was OK for him to go into her yard to clean up spent fireworks.

“I just wanted to let his parents/guardians know that they did a wonderful job at raising such a good kiddo,” Evans wrote.

Jimmy, who will be a sixth grader at Sturgis Williams Middle School in the fall, shot off lots of fireworks on Monday and Tuesday. He picked up his spent fireworks then went through the neighborhood to pick up other fireworks trash.

Jimmy’s mom, Angie, said her son was worried that the people in the neighborhood were going to get fined for not picking up their fireworks remains. 

“He took it upon himself to go around and pick up anything he could find,” Angie Snyder said. “We are proud of him for being motivated enough to take the initiative all by himself, as well as being knowledgeable and responsible to ask before going into someone else's property.”

Sturgis Public Works Director Rick Bush said fireworks trash on city streets is an annual problem in Sturgis following the Fourth of July holiday.

Sturgis Mayor Mark Carstensen said he appreciated Jimmy’s efforts. 

“What a great example for our community,” he said.