Game On! Our First 30 in 30 Winner!

It’s on!  We have our first Grant Winner!

In case you forgot, Keep Virginia Beautiful is awarding “30 Grants In 30 Days” in April and May 2012. The James River Association (JRA) has been awarded a $1,000 grant in the Litter Prevention Category. We provided the opportunity for government, non-profit and/or service organizations in Virginia to apply for one of 30 grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 in three different categories: Beautification and Community Greening, Litter Prevention, and Recycling. These grants are made possible by our partners – Capital One, Waste Management and Lowe’s.

Picking up litter is one of the easiest improvements anyone can make in their local environment. In addition to being unsightly, litter ultimately moves through a local watershed and ends up in our waterways. People of all ages can participate and feel good by taking part in a trash cleanup. Picking up trash creates awareness of the scope of the litter problem and fosters increased stewardship for the James River. To accommodate willing volunteers, JRA has developed a Self-directed Trash Cleanup program that can be tailored to the specific needs, size and schedule of a group. Through this program, JRA handles all of the site and collection details with the only thing volunteers having to do is make their valuable contribution of time and effort. In addition to finding a site in need of clean-up, the Self-directed Trash Cleanup provides the volunteer group with the loan of a Trash Cleanup Kit that includes: grabbers and container; assorted gloves and large plastic storage container; a first aid kit; trash bags and recycling bags. JRA is researching sites in need of cleanup and are categorizing them by accessibility, safety, and the number of people who can effectively work on the site. Groups can learn about the program, select a site and sign up for whatever day they want to conduct their Self-directed Trash Cleanup at www.jamesriverassociation.org.

Our Mission is to engage and unite Virginians to improve our natural and scenic environment through our 5 impact areas: Litter Prevention, Waste Reduction, Recycling, Beautification, and Environmental Education.

One 30 in 30 down, 29 to go!