Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB), a statewide grassroots environmental and community improvement nonprofit organization, recently named Keep Irving Beautiful (KIB) a Gold Star Affiliate. This designation is granted to 85 of KTB’s nearly 300 affiliates. Gold Star recognition is the highest membership recognition status a community affiliate can achieve.
To remain in good standing with KTB, community affiliates must submit a report, pay dues, attend training and participate in a KTB-endorsed activity annually. In 2004, the organization introduced the concept of Gold Star recognition to reward communities which sought to go above and beyond the established requirements. To achieve this status, affiliates must share information on their mission and goals; answer questions about on economic development and diversity and inclusion practices; or participate in the Keep Texas Beautiful Awards or Governor’s Community Achievement Awards programs, as well as provide a letter of support from the community. KTB will formally recognize Gold Star communities June 18-20 during its 52nd Annual Conference in Rockwall.
“Keep Texas Beautiful is proud to honor the most active affiliates that have such a large impact on their communities,” said KTB Executive Director Suzanne Kho. “Gold Star Affiliates are educating and engaging the community, actively recruiting and managing volunteers, hosting beautification events throughout their community and so much more. These groups deserve this great honor.”
In 2018 alone, KTB affiliates and their local volunteers contributed 198,304 hours to collect more than 4.2 million pounds of waste and recyclables, including 167,689 pounds of electronics and 6,293 pounds of tires. KIB successfully implemented programs to clean up litter, reduce and recycle waste, educate local citizens and beautify and enhance the local community.
“Keep Irving Beautiful feels it is important to maintain Gold Star status with the state organization,” said KIB Board President Jim Scrivner. “Achieving this distinction was possible because of collaboration with many different groups – businesses, schools and youth groups, the faith community, civic and nonprofit organizations – and the strong support of the City of Irving. The Gold Star Award is an indicator of outstanding community engagement.”
Keep Irving Beautiful
Keep Irving Beautiful is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the community about litter abatement, recycling, and beautification to help preserve the health and promote the social and economic prosperity of the city. As an award-winning affiliate of Keep America Beautiful and Keep Texas Beautiful, Keep Irving Beautiful reaches out to all sectors of the community, including government, businesses, churches, as well as cultural, educational, neighborhood and civic organizations. For more information on volunteering with KIB or making an activity a “green event,” visit CityofIrving.org/284/Keep-Irving-Beautiful or call (972) 721-2175.
Keep Texas Beautiful
Keep Texas Beautiful is a network of dedicated Texans working together to make our state the best place to live, work and play. We equip local partners and affiliates with the tools they need to build vibrant, engaged communities. Founded in 1967, Keep Texas Beautiful has over 50 years of experience deploying resources for local clean-up, recycling, and youth engagement efforts. Everything we do is focused on mobilizing volunteers to take action across the state. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, we lead nearly 300 affiliates and reach 19 million Texans annually. We are proudly based in Austin, Texas. For more information, visit www.KTB.org, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @keeptxbeautiful.