MEMPHIS, TN โ Governor Bill Lee has once again designated March as Keep Tennessee Beautiful month. To officially kick-off the activities, including the stateโs participation in Keep America Beautifulโs Great American Cleanupยฎ, KTnB hosted a rally and awards luncheon at Dollywoodโs HeartSong Lodge & Resort in Pigeon Forge. James Lewellen, town administrator (retired) for Collierville, brought the keynote address.ย
โMarch is the perfect time to spotlight the essential work of both the Keep Tennessee Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful local affiliates as well as our state-wide partners,โ Executive Director Missy Marshall, Keep Tennessee Beautiful, said. โWe are grateful to Gov. Lee for supporting this month-long celebration and excited to have a spotlight shine on litter prevention, education and community greening.โ
Program highlights included the presentation by Missy Marshall of KTnBโs Leader Against Litter Award to Knox County Commissioner Carson Dailey. The organizationโsย Love Where You Live Awardย was presented to super volunteer Carrie Hovie from Erwin, Tenn. This award is given to a Tennessee resident who takes pride in their community and supports KTnB’s mission. The Leader Against Litter Awardย is given to an elected official who has gone above and beyond their job description to involve citizens in environmental improvements.
Additionally, the announcement of nine $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors took place at the event.ย The Keep Tennessee Beautiful Three Grand Divisions Scholarships support graduating Tennessee high school seniors who demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental, social and economic sustainability through academic pursuits to positively impact the planet.
KABโs Great American Cleanupยฎ, is an annual, nationwide effort rallying community leaders and litter grant coordinators throughout the U.S. KTnB staff joined Keep Sevier Beautiful and local volunteers in a community-wide cleanup along the iconic โSpurโ between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg to officially kick-off the GAC.
Keep Tennessee Beautiful Month and the Great American Cleanupยฎย help accomplish the mission of KTnB: to educate and inspire Tennesseans to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment.
For more information, visit https://www.keeptnbeautiful.org/
Media Release/Cindy Dupree Holloway
