Newport News Gets Down & Dirty with 30 in Thirty

Our Common Home Environmental Alliance in Newport News focuses on cleaning up and reducing litter on a combined 12 acres that belong to the Quail Run Homes Association and St. Jerome’s Catholic Church. Litter is collecting in the green area and in Quail Run, a small streamlet that makes its way into Lucas Creek, a tributary to the Chesapeake Bay. Quail Run Homes Association and St. Jerome’s Catholic Church will be partnering to clean up the litter, create awareness about its damaging effect, and instill a sense of stewardship and pride in their community. They will host speakers to present on a variety of environmental topics, such as the effect of plastic on the environment, the cost of trash, and reduce-reuse-recycle information. With 30 in Thirty funds provided by the Keep Virginia Beautiful grant, they will create promotional materials, educational brochures, and purchase supplies for cleanups. The group will also address water quality monitoring, storm-water runoff and erosion problems as a continuance of their commitment to environmental stewardship. Our Common Home Environmental Alliance has been awarded a grant of $1,000 in the Litter Prevention category.

Government, non-profit, civic and service organizations in Virginia were invited to apply for grants for $500 to $1,000 telling how they are addressing these pressing issues:  Litter Prevention, Recycling, Cigarette Litter Prevention, and Community Beautification. Since 2011, Keep Virginia Beautiful has provided over $110,000 to 140 organizations throughout the state. This year, for the first time, we are awarding 45 grants because of the generosity of our partners at Altria, Keep America Beautiful, WestRock Foundation and Trex.