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(IRVING, TEXAS)— The annual Mayor and Keep Irving Beautiful (KIB) Awards ceremony was held on August 2 in the First Baptist Church of Irving Fellowship Hall.  Guests were treated to the beautiful sound of harp music as they entered the room, provided by the talented Becky Scherschell.  Volunteers Elouise McMillian, Chandler Ude, Nancy Medina and Lisa Ross greeted and signed in the attendees.  Spirit Grille catered the meal, which guests enjoyed while seated at tables with centerpieces designed and created by Nancy Ard, using all recyclable materials.  T.J. Friedel provided photography for the event.

Boy Scout Troop 508 began the ceremony by presenting the flag and leading the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Youth Pastor Brian Bunch of CHRIST Church delivered the invocation, after which KIB Treasurer Jim Scrivner provided a brief overview of activities throughout the year and recognized the City of Irving’s Urban Forestry Team for their first place Keep Texas Beautiful State Award in the Government category. KIB was acknowledged for achieving the President’s Circle Award from Keep America Beautiful, and the Gold Star and Sustained Excellence Awards from Keep Texas Beautiful.

Cathy Whiteman, returning as emcee for the tenth consecutive year, was joined on stage by Honorary Chair Mayor Rick Stopfer for the presentation of the following awards:

Youth Leadership Award:  MacArthur High School Student Council

Educator Award:  Victor Galanis, Jack Singley Academy

Educator Award:  James Duran, Dallas College – North Lake Campus

Faith Group Award:  Hackberry Creek Church

Business and Industry Award:  La Cima Club

Civic Organization:  Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Nonprofit Organization:  Brighter Tomorrows

Government Award: City of Irving Department of Arts and Culture

Civil Servant Award: Assistant Police Chief Brian Redburn

KIB Hometown Award: Pat Davenport

KIB Hometown Award:  Phil Riddle 

“After holding last year’s event virtually, it was great to be able to gather in person this year,” said KIB Board President Scott Wilson. “We are so grateful for our volunteers and friends of KIB. This is always one of our favorite events because we have the opportunity to thank them for all they do.”

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.

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(IRVING, TEXAS)— Irving-based CEC Entertainment, the nationally recognized leader in family entertainment and dining with its Chuck E. Cheese, Peter Piper Pizza, and delivery-only Pasqually's Pizza & Wings brands, recently reached out to Keep Irving Beautiful (KIB) to help facilitate a day of service for their Irving-based corporate employees in a park popular with African American families for celebration and play, in honor of the Juneteenth holiday observance. On Friday, June 18, 39 Chuck E. Cheese corporate employees and a few family members, met KIB staff at Running Bear Park to start their day.

 

Part of the group took on the task of painting the metal safety fencing near the playground, while the rest conducted a cleanup throughout the park.  When the day was done, not only had they completed painting the entire fence, giving it a bright and shiny glow, but they also collected 55 pounds of trash and 18 pounds of recyclables.  The group volunteered a total of 82 hours.

 

“It’s great to be able to have events like this again, and to see our corporate community active in giving back,” said KIB Board member Rachel Moon. “The Chuck E. Cheese employees were a pleasure to work with, and KIB is honored to have been part of their Juneteenth celebration.”

 

“Chuck E. Cheese has always been a place where a Kid Can be a Kid – and that means every kid, every family, every community,” said Rudy Rodríguez, Jr., Chief Legal and Human Resources Officer, CEC Entertainment. “We have a long history of giving back to the neighborhoods we serve, and we appreciate the opportunity to work with Keep Irving Beautiful here in our own backyard.”

 

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/KIB or call (972) 721-2175.

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(IRVING, TEXAS)— Keep Irving Beautiful partnered with Nexstar Media Group, Inc., America’s largest local television company, and the company’s Dallas television station, KDAF-TV (CW33) to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the founding of the company with an event called “Founder’s Day of Caring.” On Thursday, June 17th, the Irving-based company held a day of service, with 92 volunteers gathering at T.W. Richardson Grove Park along the northern Campion Trails to conduct a cleanup.

 

CW33 interviewed participants and featured them on their show “Morning After.”  Nexstar Chairman and CEO Perry Sook was there to thank the employee volunteers for their service.  Mr. Sook established Founder’s Day of Caring in 2016, to enable the company’s employees to “make a personal commitment to make the community a better place for everyone.”  Held during the third week of June, employees in each of Nexstar’s 116 markets across the country are given paid time off on Founder’s Day to work with a local nonprofit or public service agency.

 

Results of the June 17th cleanup were a combined 230 volunteer hours, 200 pounds of trash, and 35 pounds of recyclables collected.  A canned food drive was also part of the event, with volunteers donating 107 pounds of food to a local Irving food pantry.

 

“Irving is fortunate to have a vibrant, caring corporate community that places a high value on giving back,” said KIB Board member Karen Harmon. “We had a great day here with Nexstar and CW33, and it was a pleasure to be a part of their Founder’s Day event.  Not only did they make a positive impact on the environment by keeping litter from reaching the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, they also helped support a local food pantry with their donations.”

 

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/KIB or call (972) 721-2175.

 

 

 

 

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KIB Teams with Singley Academy Theatre Department

Group Performs Environmental Skit at Cimarron Recreation Center

 

 

(IRVING, TEXAS)— Cimarron Park Recreation Center was a flurry of activity on June 11, as Singley Academy theatre students and their director joined Keep Irving Beautiful (KIB) for a lively presentation of an environmental mascot skit.  The thespians took on the roles of KIB mascot Kirby the Toucan, Buddy the Blue Recycling Bag, and the “Litterbug,” while the fourth student served as guide and coordinator. From the beginning, Singley Theatre Director Jennifer Brockette captured the camper’s attention as the narrator. The excitement grew as each character was introduced.

 

Through the course of the skit, campers learned that Kirby stands for “Keep Irving Recycling and Beautiful Year-Round” and that many products can be made from recycled items instead of thrown away.  The skit ended with a highly competitive dance-off to the “R-E-C-Y-C-L-E” song, with the newly renamed “Recyclebug” (formerly the Litterbug) emerging as the surprise winner.

 

This presentation was the first of six that are scheduled for each of the Parks and Recreation Department’s summer camp programs during June and July. The events are held as part of KIB’s youth outreach.

 

“KIB feels that it is important to bring its message to Irving residents of all ages,” said KIB staff member Julie Schmitt. “The skit is an especially fun way to reach children. It is not only entertaining but also educational. KIB wants to thank the Singley Academy students for their outstanding effort in bringing these characters to life.”

 

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/KIB or call (972) 721-2175.

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Drug Enforcement Administration Dallas Office Employees Volunteer with Keep Irving Beautiful

Group Conducts Cleanup at Bird’s Fort Trail Park

 

(IRVING, TEXAS)— The Dallas office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently partnered with Keep Irving Beautiful (KIB) for a service project at Bird’s Fort Trail Park, 5756 Riverside Dr. Ten employee volunteers gathered at the park, which is part of Irving’s Campion Trail, on April 20.  After receiving their cleanup supplies and a safety briefing, pairs were sent out to collect litter, working mainly along the tree line bordering the Elm Fork of the Trinity River.

 

After the cleanup and volunteers placed the bags at a central location to weigh and record their results.  During their combined 27.5 hours of service, they collected a total of 62 pounds of litter and 21 pounds of recyclables.

 

“We had a great day at the park,” said KIB board member Jim Scrivner.  “We are happy to welcome groups that have a shared interest and common goal of keeping litter from reaching this important waterway. This event with the DEA was a long time in the making, as the group originally scheduled a cleanup in 2019 that was canceled due to flooding, then the COVID-19 pandemic. The enthusiasm and great volunteer spirit that the Dallas DEA employees showed made it worth the wait, and we hope to partner with them again.”

 

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/KIB or call (972) 721-2175.

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Star Park Las Colinas Teams with KIB for Beautification Project

Group Paints at Fritz Park Petting Farm

 

(IRVING, TEXAS)— Star Park Las Colinas, a new Lincoln Property Company apartment community, recently partnered with Keep Irving Beautiful (KIB) for a beautification project. On May 6, four employees met KIB staff at Fritz Park in Irving to paint at the Petting Farm. The enthusiastic group added a fresh coat of bright red paint and white trim to the entrance façade, which is designed to look like a barn. The volunteers combined efforts resulted in 14 hours of volunteer service, and an entrance that now shines.

 

Star Park Las Colinas employees also participated in the virtual ‘Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off’ on April 6. The management team posted pictures and videos from their day at T.W. Richardson Grove Park. During the event, the volunteers collected 10 bags of litter from the tree line areas along the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. The volunteers donated seven hours of service.

 

“KIB is excited to welcome Star Park Las Colinas to Irving,” said KIB board member Kelly Horn.  “The petting farm has been such a popular attraction for Irving children for many years, and the efforts of the Star Park Las Colinas volunteers have made the entrance more inviting.”

 

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/KIB or call (972) 721-2175.

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Keep Irving Beautiful Recognized as Gold Star Affiliate by Keep Texas Beautiful
70 Texas Communities Honored for their Exceptional Community Improvement Efforts

 

IRVING, TEXAS - Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB), a statewide grassroots environmental and community improvement nonprofit organization, recently named Keep Irving Beautiful (KIB) a Gold Star Affiliate, a designation granted to 70 affiliates of KTB’s nearly 300 affiliates. Gold Star Affliate is the highest membership recognition any community affiliate can achieve.

 

In 2004, the organization introduced the concept of Gold Star recognition to reward those communities who sought to go above and beyond the established requirements. 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. 

 

To achieve Gold Star status, affiliates must share information about their mission and goals, answer questions related to their economic development and diversity and inclusion practices, participate in the Beautify Texas Awards or Governor’s Community Achievement Awards programs, and provide a letter of support from their community.  KTB will formally recognize Gold Star communities during its 54th Annual Conference in June.

 

“Our affiliates are the backbone of our organization. We are proud to honor those going above and beyond to keep their communities clean and beautiful,” says Suzanne Kho, Executive Director of Keep Texas Beautiful. “Our Gold Star Affiliates are educating and engaging community members, actively recruiting and managing volunteers, hosting cleanup and beautification events throughout their community and so much more.”

 

In 2020, KTB affiliates engaged 20,917 volunteers who contributed 37,857 hours to collect 1 million pounds of waste and recyclables from Texas roadways, trails, and waterways. Irvingsuccessfully implemented programs to clean up litter, reduce and recycle waste, educate local residents, as well as beautify and enhance the local community.

 

“On behalf of the entire Keep Irving Beautiful Board of Directors, I would like to thank Keep Texas Beautiful for this honor,” said KIB Board President Scott Wilson. “This past year was full of challenges, but we exceeded our expectations thanks in part to having such strong leadership at the state level in Keep Texas Beautiful.  We would also like to thank our outstanding volunteers and sponsors for everything they do to keep our organization achieve the highest level.”

 

 

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About 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/KIB or call (972) 721-2175.

 

 

 

About Keep Texas Beautiful
Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB) is a non-profit organization dedicated to making Texas the best place to live, work, and play by deploying resources for community improvement projects, clean-ups, and youth engagement efforts across the state. Through our Keep Texas Recycling program, we provide assistance and education to support recycling in rural and underserved communities.

 

Everything we do is focused on mobilizing volunteers to take action by providing them with tools, resources, and training. Our fieldwork includes research on best practices for litter reduction along with the development of community programs to prevent the flow of litter to the Gulf.

 

Founded in 1967, Keep Texas Beautiful’s work is driven by its network of nearly 300 affiliate member communities, volunteers, and supporters that reach 17 million Texans annually. For more information and to find your closest affiliate, visit www.ktb.org. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

 

 

 

 

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KEEP IRVING BEAUTIFUL SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR ANNUAL AWARDS

“Mayor and KIB Awards” Honor Irving’s Difference Makers

 

(IRVING, TEXAS) - Keep Irving Beautiful is asking for nominations to be submitted for the 2021 “Mayor and KIB Annual Awards.”  These awards honor local individuals, organizations and businesses that have gone above and beyond in making significant contributions towards making Irving a better place to live, work, play or visit.  KIB calls them their “environmental stars” and will recognize the winners at a reception on Monday, August 2.  Categories include:

  • Youth Leadership
  • Educator
  • Faith Group
  • Civic Organization
  • Business and Industry
  • Media
  • Lifetime Achievement
  • Civil Servant
  • Nonprofit Organization
  • Government
  • KIB Hometown

 

Detailed descriptions of each award, a list of previous year’s winners, and the current nomination form can be found by going to www.keepirvingbeautiful.org. Nominations can be submitted online, or can be downloaded, printed, and mailed to the KIB office at: 

Keep Irving Beautiful, 3000 Rock Island Road, Irving, TX 75060.

For more information, please contact KIB at 972-721-2175, or email info@rockthegreen.org.

 

Nominations must be received by Friday June 11, 2021.

 

Keep Irving Beautiful is a non-profit, grassroots, leadership organization dedicated to educating our community about litter abatement, recycling, and beautification to help preserve the health and promote the social and economic prosperity of our city. As an award-winning affiliate of Keep America Beautiful and Keep Texas Beautiful, Keep Irving Beautiful reaches out to all sectors of our city including government, business, church, cultural, educational, neighborhood and civic organizations.  If you are interested in volunteering with KIB, or making your activity a “green event,” please go to Keep Irving Beautiful, or call (972) 721-2175.

 

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KIB Hosts Hybrid ‘Don’t mess with Texas Trash-Off’ Cleanup

104 Volunteers Participate in Person and Virtually

 

Trinity View Park was the site for Keep Irving Beautiful’s (KIB) annual spring cleanup event, the Don’t mess with Texas Trash-Off, part of the state’s signature event for the national Great American Cleanup initiative. On April 10, volunteers arrived early, according to the time they had chosen when they pre-registered. While the Trash-Off usually draws several hundred volunteers, this event was limited to the first 100 who signed up in order to observe social distancing guidelines. Sign-ins were staggered every 15 minutes, and after picking up supplies and receiving safety instructions, volunteers set out in small groups to collect litter and prevent it from reaching the Elm Fork of the Trinity River.

 

While these volunteers were picking up litter at Trinity View, other groups were conducting their own cleanups in areas like Parkside Commons and Northwest, T.W. Richardson Grove, Spring Hills and Centennial Parks. These ‘virtual volunteers’ posted pictures to social media (Facebook, Twitter or Instagram) and reported their total volunteers, hours and amounts collected. By including the hashtag #IrvingTrashOff, their posts were monitored by KIB staff and their efforts were included in the grand total.

 

Combing the efforts of the Trinity View Park group and those who worked throughout the city, the final results included, 101 volunteers, 384 volunteer hours, 1,435 pounds of trash and 325 pounds of recyclables collected.

 

Several city departments contributed to the success of the event, including Parks and Recreation and Solid Waste Services for providing roll-off containers and weighing the trash and recyclables collected. The Communications Department provided an ICTN crew to interview volunteers and capture the action of the day.

 

Trinity View volunteers were treated to box lunches, generously donated by the Chick-fil-A Las Colinas store. Special thanks to the Young Men’s Service League Irving Hawks from Cistercian Academy and their mothers for their support.

 

It has become tradition to include a canned food drive as part of this event. Crisis Ministries is a 100% volunteer organization serving Irving for more than 25 years. Donations directly support the work they do each day. This year, KIB volunteers donated 280 pounds of food.

 

“KIB has been looking forward to being able to gather together for an event like this,” said KIB Board President Scott Wilson. “While KIB had to limit the volunteer numbers this year, the enthusiasm was the same as it always is. On behalf of the entire KIB board and staff, we want to thank everyone who had a part in this event, whether it was at Trinity View, or at cleanups in other locations.”

 

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/KIB or call (972) 721-2175. 

 

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The walking trail at Running Bear Park now is lined with more trees, thanks to the recent efforts of volunteers from the Acosta Cares team, a group of employees from Acosta Sales and Marketing and Mosaic Sales Solutions. On April 6, eight Acosta Cares volunteers partnered with Keep Irving Beautiful (KIB), the Texas Trees Foundation, and the City of Irving’s Urban Forestry team to plant 25 trees — a mix of Shumard red oak, Mexican sycamore, and cedar elm — at Running Bear Park. A member of the Irving Parks Board helped with the planting, which was funded by a generous donation from Verizon.

 

The volunteers, who observed safety guidelines by wearing masks and gloves, were first instructed by the city’s arborist in proper planting techniques. The volunteers then broke into small groups to plant the trees, followed by the application of mulch.  Some of the volunteers noted that this was the first time they had ever planted a tree. 

 

“An event like this really shows what KIB is all about,” said KIB board member Chuck Kirk. “The organization has partnerships with two corporate groups – Acosta and Verizon – as well as with another nonprofit, the Texas Trees Foundation. During the tree planting events, volunteers always mention how they appreciate the knowledge they gain, which can be used when planting trees at home.”

 

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/KIB or call (972) 721-2175.