Keep Dalton-Whitfield Beautiful Receives Inaugural Governor’s Circle Recognition Award

Representatives from Keep America Beautiful affiliates from across the state of Georgia gathered at the State Capitol to receive the inaugural Governor's Circle Recognition Award. 

Atlanta, GA – Keep Dalton-Whitfield Beautiful received the Governor’s Circle Award on December 9, 2013. These inaugural, statewide awards were presented by Gov. Nathan Deal at the State Capitol as part of the Keep Georgia Beautiful Fall Conference.

Created by the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation in honor of its 35th Anniversary; The Governor’s Circle Award recognizes exemplary performance by certified affiliates in reducing litter, minimizing waste and greening local communities. To qualify for the Governor’s Circle Award, affiliates must be in good standing with Keep America Beautiful; conducting an annual Litter Index, calculating the affiliate’s cost/benefit ratio and engaging volunteers to take greater responsibility for their community environment. Additionally, the affiliate must be an active member of the Georgia network.

“The affiliates receiving the Governor’s Circle Award represent the best of community improvement efforts”, said Sarah Visser, Executive Director of the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation, “they are doing the hard work every day to keep their communities economically vibrant and environmentally sustainable”.

Keep Dalton-Whitfield Beautiful, also known as the Clean and Beautiful Commission, was established in 1989 and became an affiliate in 1991.  Board members and volunteers focus on activities that promote litter prevention, beautification, waste reduction, and recycling.  Annual events include Christmas Tree and Electronics Recycling in January, Community Planting Day, Adopt-a-Mile cleanups, participation in local Earth Day events, and the Conasauga Watershed Cleanup, among others.

“I would like to thank all of our amazing board members, volunteers, and community partners for making the work of Keep Dalton-Whitfield Beautiful possible.” said Liz Swafford, Executive Director of Keep Dalton-Whitfield Beautiful.  “With their commitment and support our local affiliate has continued to grow and expand it’s range of activities and continue to make a positive impact in the community.”

Those interested in volunteering should visit www.keepdaltonwhitfieldbeautiful.org, or call 706-226-6211. 

Georgia is the first state in the Keep America Beautiful (KAB) network to create a Governor’s Circle Award modeled on KAB’s national good standing designation.

About Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation (KGBF):  Created in 1978 by Governor George Busbee, Keep Georgia Beautiful (KGB), became the first state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful.  In 2011, the Keep Georgia Beautiful program merged with the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation, Inc. which was created in 1985 to promote private sector financial support for worthwhile educational programs that enhance the environment and the quality of life in Georgia. KGBF coordinates a number of environmental efforts including the Great American Cleanup™ and the statewide Bring One for the Chipper Christmas tree recycling program.  The Foundation is based on a fundamental premise that the environmental interests of the state of Georgia and the people who live here are best served when public and private interests work hand-in-hand to achieve common goals. Our connections with the public and private sectors aid us in our mission to support local Keep Georgia Beautiful affiliates as they build and sustainable communities through litter prevention, waste reduction, recycling, water resource management and community greening.  For more information about the KGB Foundation, please visit www.keepgeorgiabeautiful.org or call the office at (404) 679-4910.

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Media inquiries may be directed to Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation, Executive Director, Sarah Visser at (404) 679-4910 (office) or sarah.visser@kgbf.org. {C}