Keep Irving Beautiful (KIB) and the youth group of Christ Church recently teamed together for a neighborhood cleanup project. The 516 Student Ministry youth group, along with adult sponsors, gathered at the church on Feb. 2. The group received safety instructions from KIB staff and cleanup supplies, including volunteer vests, litter grabbing tools, gloves, trash and recycling bags. The students then went to a central location where the groups dispersed throughout the neighborhood and collected trash and recyclables.

After the cleanup, volunteers brought the items back to be weighed and recorded. When the project was complete, the group of 35 youth and 11 adults provided 92 hours of volunteer time and collected 110 pounds of trash and 22 pounds of recyclables.

Christ Church students have volunteered with KIB for several years, including cleanup events at Trinity View Park and area neighborhoods.

“The Christ Church youth ministry students always look forward to Keep Irving Beautiful projects,” said Pastor Brian Bunch, who also serves on the KIB Board of Directors as Faith Groups co-chair. “It is a great way for the students to feel like they are an important part of the community, and that they are giving back in a positive way.”

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, KIB 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.