Exciting Stuff at Keep Virginia Beautiful!
Kids out of school? Preparing for that summer vacation? Already have the summer doldrums? Well, things are pretty exciting around Keep Virginia Beautiful. Where to start? Where to start…
For several months, we invited you to submit your Beautiful Act to Give 60 and enter to win a 60-inch television, donated by Walmart. Many of you did just that – some with contributions and some by describing their act of environmental kindness. The contest ended in May, and we randomly selected a winner…
Drumroll, please.
Dennis Robarge from Salem, Virginia will soon be receiving his flat screen TV! He and his family are developing a routine of picking up trash around their neighborhood and doing their part for litter prevention. On June 21st and 22nd, they’ve engaged other members of their community for a cleanup of the Roanoke River Greenway.
Roanoke has done a great job of linking green spaces together to make the valley a great place to live, work, and play. These trails, parks, and paths wind throughout the city, and the River Greenway provides over 8 miles of kid-friendly, riverside parkland.
Next up, we have some great partners. Our parent organization, Keep America Beautiful, is teaming up with us and with Bud Light for a great and fun cleanup project. On Friday, June 20th, we’ll meet them from 1:30 until 7PM at Eco-Discovery Park in Williamsburg. The park serves two purposes: Give kids some experience in the great outdoors, and educate folks on ways we can protect our environment. We’re building a picnic shelter, complete with green roof, doing some painting, and having some fun. That, in fact, is the theme of the Bud Light program – Do Good and Have Fun. It’s not too late to volunteer!
Lastly, on Thursday, June 26th we’ll be welcoming a sort of Virginia hero. John Deuel has long been a friend to Keep Virginia Beautiful. He’s worked with Keep America Beautiful as a National Trainer, teaching local leaders how to exact and measure environmental change and beautification. John recently retired as Recycling Coordinator with the City of Norfolk and as the Executive Director of Keep Norfolk Beautiful.
John is a current resident of the road.
About two months ago, John went to San Diego and got on a bicycle. He began pedaling, and each day, stopped to join with members of that local community to do a bit of good. He’s been through Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, Kentucky, and more. He’ll finish his ride in Virginia Beach. His campaign is called Pedaling for a Cleaner America. John points out that over 50 billion pieces of litter lay on our roadsides, more people than ever are cycling, and these people on clean and safe roads promotes more vibrant communities.
When John hits Richmond on the 26th, we’re going to engage in some cleanup and beautification projects along the James River, from the Great Shiplock Park to the start of the Virginia Capital Trail, and the Mayo Bridge Area. Come out and help us celebrate John’s achievements and help to make Richmond more beautiful from 4 to 6PM. Stay with us afterwards as we celebrate! Drop us a line at [email protected].
You see, in Richmond, as in Roanoke and across America, people are realizing that clean and green spaces for them to enjoy is good for life.