Big Spring Herald

KBSB recognized as one of 86 Gold Star Affiliates by Keep Texas Beautiful

- BY AMANDA DUFORAT Contributi­ng Writer

It starts with community, but the impact is so much bigger.

Keep Big Spring Beautiful has been ramping up over the past several years and is gaining attention statewide. Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB), a statewide grassroots environmen­tal and community improvemen­t non-profit organizati­on, recently named Big Spring a Gold Star Affiliate.

"This is a big deal for Big Spring. Not only does it mean our community is becoming a more beautified, clean area, but it also means that our work is being noticed, "Liz Hafley, Keep Big Spring Beautiful Social Media Vice President, said.

This year according to a press release from Keep Texas Beautiful, the Gold Star designatio­n was granted to 86 of KTB's nearly 300 affiliates. Gold Star recognitio­n is the membership recognitio­n highest status any community affiliate can achieve.

"Our community has truly stepped up over the past couple of years and it is through those efforts that this recognitio­n is possible," she said. "We, the Big Spring community, have logged a total of 496 volunteers hours in the past year. "

According to informatio­n provided by Keep Big Spring Beautiful, there were a total of 397 volunteers who helped with community clean ups: 270 volunteers helped with Toasty Tuesday for a total of 270 hours and 7,650 pounds of trash, 11 volunteers helped with Love Our Lake for a total of 11 hours and 450 pounds of trash, 11 volunteers helped with Fall Sweep which took place in Downtown Big Spring, for a total of 11 hours and resulted in 345 pounds of trash. As part of the annual Trash Off there was 2,730 pounds of trash picked up by 105 volunteers for a total of 204 hours. As part of the Adopt-A-Highway program there are 8.4 miles that have been cleaned.

According to the press release, 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,

 ?? HERALD file photo ?? Keep Big Spring Beautiful members pose for a group photo during a tree planting earlier this year. The group has been recognized as a Gold Star Affiliate by Keep Texas Beautiful.
HERALD file photo Keep Big Spring Beautiful members pose for a group photo during a tree planting earlier this year. The group has been recognized as a Gold Star Affiliate by Keep Texas Beautiful.

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