Keep America Beautiful honors volunteers, plans events

Friday, January 1, 1904

photo Jim Davis, Cleveland/Bradley Keep America Beautiful president, presents Judy Elliot the volunteer of the year award Friday during KAB's annual membership breakfast. Co-winner Joyce Johnson was not available. Joanne Maskew, KAB executive director is in the background.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED* What: Greenway cleanup.* When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. today* Where: Meet at Raider Drive or Village GreenSouce: Cleveland/Bradley KAB

CLEVELAND, Tenn. - Cleveland Utilities is the Cleveland/Bradley Keep America Beautiful business of the year, and Judy Elliott and Joyce Johnson are the volunteers of the year.

The announcements were made Friday at the local KAB's annual membership and awards breakfast.

Executive Director Joanne Maskew told the breakfast crowd at the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce that Keep America Beautiful recorded 8,014 volunteers taking part in more than 70 activities during the 2011-12 year. The value of that free work is $973,700, she said.

"That amounts to a $20.14 benefit for every dollar invested in KAB," Maskew said. "That's a significant savings to taxpayers."

Maskew reminded the community that the second Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day will be Oct. 27 at the Tri-State Exhibition Center.

"There was a big response to the first one we are trying it again just for convenience," County Mayor D. Gary Davis said. "There was a double line of vehicles last time."

While Keep America Beautiful offers a wide range of education and litter cleanup work for volunteers, Elliott said it was working with elementary school children that attracted her attention. Each year, volunteers visit schools and talk about the environment, recycling and help the children plant sunflower seeds.

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"I started out just going one or two times," Elliott said. "But the children are so wonderful. It is surprising how many will send you a picture back saying, 'This is my sunflower.' I kind of got hooked."

Environmental education awards were presented to Lou Ann Carey of Bradley Central High School; Jeannie Cuervo at Cleveland High School; Sarai Burgos at Oak Grove Elementary; Alan Gentry of Cleveland State Community College; Debbie Millard of Coca-Cola Refreshments USA Inc.; and local media outlets.