America250PA And Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Award $19,500 For Community Improvement Grants

(May 13, 2024) The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250PA), in partnership with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, EQT Corporation and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, today announced the eight recipients of its 2024 National Pennsylvania Day Mini Grants. Grants totaling $19,500 were awarded in support of projects that improve the community and engage volunteers. Projects could include community cleanups, park improvements, revitalization efforts, river sweeps, graffiti abatement and murals.
America250PA was established by the legislature and Governor in 2018 to plan, encourage, develop and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, Pennsylvania’s integral role in that event, and the impact of its people on the nation’s past, present, and future.”
Grants up to $3,000 were available to existing America250PA partners.
The following organizations are the recipients of a 2024 National Pennsylvania Day Mini Grant from America250PA and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful:
- Apollo Area Historical Society, Apollo
- County of Beaver (Beaver County Recreation and Tourism), Beaver Falls
- County of Clarion, Clarion
- Crawford County Historical Society, Meadville
- Founding Forward (formerly Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge), Valley Forge
- Friends of Washington Crossing Park, Washington Crossing
- The African American Museum in Philadelphia, Philadelphia
- The Hoyt, New Castle
“America250PA is so excited to partner with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful again this year,” said Cassandra Coleman, Executive Director of America250PA. “Volunteerism, neighbors helping neighbors, Pennsylvanians helping Pennsylvanians is exactly how our Commonwealth and our communities have thrived over the last 250 years, and it’s so encouraging to see the impact that each location makes statewide. We’re thankful for the continued partnership with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, EQT, and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for making efforts like this possible ahead of America’s Semiquincentennial in 2026!”
“Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is proud to support the America250PA partners and their projects. We know that community improvements, whether through litter cleanups, beautification, planting community gardens or preservation of natural areas leads to thriving communities. We are honored to provide National Pennsylvania Day grants, with support of America250PA, to invest in the noble and necessary work being implemented to improve communities and public spaces across the state,” said Shannon Reiter, President, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful has supported community improvement initiatives and encouraged community leadership, responsibility, and respect for the environment since 1990. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, a state affiliate of Keep American Beautiful, Inc. has more than 30 years of experience in organizing volunteer-driven community improvement events. Visit keeppabeautiful.org for more information on programs or to find an event near you.
To learn more about America250PA and their commitment to the Commonwealth’s and our Nation’s history visit, https://america250pa.org/HOME.
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About America250PA
The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250PA) was established by the legislature and Governor in 2018 to plan, encourage, develop and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States, Pennsylvania’s integral role in that event, and the impact of its people on the nation’s past, present, and future. The Commission is made up of current and past Pennsylvania leaders, celebrating the rich history and diversity of the state.
America250PA hopes to engage all citizens of the Commonwealth, from each of its 67 counties, to participate in creating a statewide celebration and bringing the Commonwealth’s history into the conversation. Together, we hope that as Pennsylvanians, we can better understand the origins and multiple perspectives of issues facing our Commonwealth and nation today. The Commission’s ability to communicate its vision, engage various audiences, and encourage inclusive and cohesive participation is key to a successful America250PA. The visionary framework – especially our E.P.I.C. theme of Educate, Preserve, Innovate, and Celebrate, contains the essential messaging to bring the Semiquincentennial to life across the Commonwealth.
About Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s vision is a clean and beautiful Pennsylvania. Since 1990, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful has worked with hundreds of thousands of volunteers across the state to pick up nearly 158 million pounds of trash from Pennsylvania’s roadways, waterways, greenways, vacant lots, forestlands and other community spaces. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s core programming focuses on litter and illegal dump prevention, cleanup, community greening, and proper waste handling and sustainable practices. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful works with many partnering organizations on the state and grassroots level to accomplish our goal of a clean and beautiful Pennsylvania. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is the state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Inc., the nation’s largest volunteer-based community action and education organization. To learn more about Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, visit www.keeppabeautiful.org.