December 12, 2014
Atlanta, GA – More than 200 Georgians attended the 36th Annual Keep Georgia Beautiful Awards Luncheon on Friday, December 12 at the Marriott Century Center. The annual program honors individuals and organizations working to improve Georgia’s environment.
“Today’s program celebrates and recognizes 36 years of collaboration by individuals, schools, corporations, non-profit organizations and government agencies to keep Georgia’s environment beautiful,” said Kevin Perry, President of the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation.
The annual awards ceremony recognizes outstanding efforts in the areas of Litter Prevention, Waste Reduction & Recycling and Community Improvement. Individual awards are presented to a public works official, code enforcement official, elected official, student, male volunteer, female volunteer and executive director of the year.
The program also honors Georgia’s Keep America Beautiful Affiliates for their comprehensive environmental impact on the local community. Since its inception in 1978, Georgia’s affiliate network has grown to be the nation’s largest; with 77 local affiliates serving 76% of the state’s population.
The Awards are made possible by the generous support of our sponsors: change agent level partner Georgia Department of Community Affairs, patron level sponsors, Georgia Beverage Association and Georgia Power Foundation; leader level sponsors: Dart Container Corporation, Georgia Beer Wholesalers Association, Georgia Electric Membership Corporation, Georgia Pacific Foundation; sustainer level sponsors including Chick-fil-A, MillerCoors, Mohawk Industries and supporter level sponsors Caraustar, , Publix Supermarket Charities, State of Georgia Employees – Charitable Giving Program and Waste Management.
About Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation (KGBF): Created in 1978 by Governor George Busbee, Keep Georgia Beautiful (KGB), became the first state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. In 2011, the Keep Georgia Beautiful program merged with the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation, Inc. which was created in 1985 to promote private sector financial support for worthwhile educational programs that enhance the environment and the quality of life in Georgia. KGBF coordinates a number of environmental efforts including the Great American Cleanup™ and the statewide Bring One for the Chipper Christmas tree recycling program. The Foundation is based on a fundamental premise that the environmental interests of the state of Georgia and the people who live here are best served when public and private interests work hand-in-hand to achieve common goals. Our connections with the public and private sectors aid us in our mission to support local Keep Georgia Beautiful affiliates as they build and sustainable communities through litter prevention, waste reduction, recycling, water resource management and community greening. For more information about the KGB Foundation, please visit www.keepgeorgiabeautiful.org or call the office at (404) 679-4910.
2014 Keep Georgia Beautiful Award Winners
Corporate Partner Award – This award recognizes a corporate partner that has made outstanding contributions in support of the Keep Georgia Beautiful System and that exemplifies the highest standards for corporate leadership in the environmental sector.
Corporate Partner Award: The Home Depot
“Bring One for the Chipper” Christmas Tree Recycling Award – Recognizes the Georgia community that recycles the most trees per capita during the annual “Bring One for the Chipper” campaign.
“Bring One for the Chipper” Award: Keep Roswell Beautiful
Litter Prevention – Recognizes educational and remedial efforts designed to change attitudes and behaviors, resulting in a positive impact on a community. Efforts may include litter cleanups, enforcement of litter/illegal dumping laws, placing garbage cans in needed areas, signage, storm drain stenciling, classroom education and presentations to civic/community groups.
Non-Profit/Civic Group: The Austin Smith Center for Development
Government: Keep Kennesaw Beautiful
Community Improvement and Greening – Recognizes efforts to preserve and improve the beauty of a community. Efforts may include outdoor classrooms, enhancement of areas, replanting and restoration of areas and maintenance of existing areas.
Non-Profit/ Civic Group: Keep Warner Robins Beautiful
Government Agency: Forsyth County
Business: Lowe’s Home Improvement, Cornelia
Waste Reduction and Recycling– Recognizes the efforts of organizations that provide environmental education or other conservation messages to change attitudes and promote responsible waste handling. Efforts may include source or waste reduction, recycling, composting.
Non-Profit/ Civic Group: Keep Carroll Beautiful, Inc.
School/Youth Group: Cousins Middle School Community Based Instruction Class
Government Agency: City of Snellville Recycling Center
Business: Dart Container Corporation
Keep Georgia Beautiful Affiliate Awards – Any Keep America Beautiful (KAB) certified affiliate in good standing with KAB is eligible to apply. “Good Standing” requires that your network service fee be paid in full as well as timely submission of the Semi-Annual and Annual Report forms to KAB. This awards application covers program activities for the 12-month period through June 30, 2014.
Keep Chatsworth Murray Beautiful
Keep Smyrna Beautiful
Keep Albany Dougherty Beautiful
Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful
Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful Commission
Keep Cobb Beautiful
The Code Enforcement Official of the Year Award – honors an individual who is directly employed in code enforcement activities by a city or county. The nominee demonstrates an ongoing commitment in his or her job.
Code Enforcement Official of the Year – Jim McLaughlin, Troup County
The Public Works Employee of the Year Award – This award honors an individual who is directly employed in the solid waste or public works department of a city or county and has shown ongoing dedication to his or her job.
Public Works Employee of the Year –Charles Pope, Carroll County
The Student of the Year Award – This award honors a student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and dedication in raising awareness about solid waste issues, litter prevention, and/or the need for their peers to participate in activities that preserve and enhance natural resources and public lands.
Student of the Year – Kelly Childers, Crisp County
The Man of the Year “Steve Reynolds Award” – This award honors an outstanding man who has demonstrated lifelong leadership in raising public awareness about solid waste issues, litter prevention and/or the need for citizens to participate in activities that preserve and enhance natural resources and public lands. This award is dedicated to a volunteer or an employee who excels beyond his normal job description.
Man of the Year – Marcus Waters, Crisp County
The Woman of the Year “Carolyn Crayton Award” honors an outstanding woman who has demonstrated lifelong leadership in raising public awareness about solid waste issues, litter prevention and/or the need for citizens to participate in activities that preserve and enhance natural resources and public lands. This award is dedicated to a volunteer or an employee who excels beyond her normal job description.
Woman of the Year – Bejie Herrin, Cobb County
The Elected Official of the Year – Honors a state or local elected official that strongly supports environmental and community improvement activities.2014 represents the inaugural year for this award.
Elected Official of the Year – Mayor Robert A. B. Reichert, Macon-Bibb County
The President’s Award – Selected by the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation Board Chair, the President’s Award recognizes someone that has made outstanding contributions to Georgia’s environment in support of the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation’s mission.
The President’s Award – Representative Jan Tankersley
Executive Directors of the Year
“Lynn Cobb Award” – The award is named in honor of Lynn Cobb, who began as a volunteer with the Keep Georgia Beautiful Program at its creation and served as state leader for more than 20 years. Lynn has a passion for mentoring new directors and this award recognizes an outstanding director with less than ten years experience in the KAB system. Jacqueline Dost is the first recipient of this award.
Executive Director of the Year, “Lynn Cobb Award” – Kathy Reed, Keep North Fulton Beautiful
“Barbara Mason Award” – The award is named in honor of Barbara Mason, who dedicated her life to preserving the environment and establishing the Keep America Beautiful system in Georgia and the nation. Under her leadership, significant improvements were made in Georgia in the areas of waste reduction, conservation of resources, property maintenance, quality of life and beautification. This award recognizes an affiliate leader with an established record of success and is awarded to a director only once in their career.
Executive Director of the Year, “Barbara Mason Award” – Stacee Farrell, Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful
Media inquiries may be directed to Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation, Executive Director, Sarah Visser at (404) 679-4910 or sarah.visser@kgbf.org.