Keep Texas Beautiful, a statewide grassroots environmental and community improvement non-profit organization, was recently named Keep Levelland Beautiful a Gold Star Affiliate.
Gold Star recognition is the membership recognition highest status any community affiliate can achieve.
“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 2022, KTB affiliates engaged 178,648 volunteers who contributed 78,955 hours to collect 2.4 million pounds of waste and recyclables from Texas roadways, trails, and waterways. Keep Levelland Beautiful successfully implemented programs to clean up litter, reduce and recycle waste, educate local citizens, and their work beautifies and enhances the local community.
“Our volunteers are the backbone of Keep Levelland Beautiful, they deserve the recognition and praise for this honor.” said Special Projects Manager Kelly Hancock. She goes on to say, “the guidance from Keep Texas Beautiful has been imperative to build a strong program and to be recognized as a Gold Star Affiliate four years in a row.”
In 2004, KTB introduced the concept of Gold Star recognition to recognize 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 additionally share information on their mission and goals, answer questions about their economic development and diversity and inclusion practices or participate in the Beautify Texas Awards or Governor’s Community Achievement Awards programs. They also must provide a letter of support from their community. KTB will formally recognize Gold Star communities during the KTB Conference on June 26-28, 2023.