Affiliate Community Partner Award
The Community Partner Award provides each KPB and local KAB affiliate a way to honor an outstanding partnership with local government, community organization or business who enhance and are essential to local community programming.
The application is now closed for nominations, but check back later in the fall for the next year.
This award is only for KPB and local KAB affiliates in good standing.
For questions, please contact Kylie McCutcheon at kmccutcheon@keeppabeautiful.org or 724-836-4121 ext. 114.
All You Can Inc., nominated by Keep Dauphin County Beautiful
Keep Dauphin County Beautiful is proud to award All You Can Inc. with our 2024 Community Partner award. All You Can Inc.'s help in Harrisburg City council's Hot Spot Saturdays program helped build a network of local residents to foster a strong community sense of purpose and beneficial habits. In the past three years the initiative helped removed over 150 tons of litter and rubbish while engaging over 100 volunteers!
Fayette County Association of Township Supervisors & Fayette County Boroughs , nominated by Keep Fayette County Green
For the past five years, Fayette County Association of Township Supervisors and Fayette County Boroughs have been invaluable community partners by demonstrating a deep commitment to recycling in Fayette County. They have participated in both hard-to-recycle collection events and roadside cleanups. In 2024, they partnered with Keep Fayette County Green for four “Mountain Area Cleanups” which collected: 1.5 tons of household recyclables, 16.67 tons of tires, 6 tons of scrap metal and 8.19 tons of electronics and televisions. They contribute to environmental conservation and community engagement by helping to restore natural beauty, protect wildlife and create a sense of pride and responsibility in their communities. They also address illegal dumpsites and promptly clean them up to help prevent them from becoming health risks for their communities. These efforts help keep our communities clean and as more desirable places to live.
Hamilton Lane, nominated by Scranton Tomorrow
In mid-2023, Jared Deutsch, an associate with Hamilton Lane, contacted Scranton Tomorrow about bringing members of his team to a City Pride project. Shortly afterwards, Jared expressed his desire that Hamilton Lane be a part of as many projects as possible with Scranton Tomorrow. As a company, priorities for Hamilton Lane include meaningful work, ways to support all members of the community, education efforts, economic development, and the environment, thus they were a perfect partner for Scranton Tomorrow. Hamilton Lane participated in numerous community events including cleanups and plantings at Capouse Corners Pocket Park, plantings in Doherty Park, assisting with a recycling event on National Pennsylvania Day, and initiating, as well as sponsoring, three projects at the Gino Merli Veterans Center.
Hydro, nominated by Schuylkill Keep It Pretty
Hydro has been an Adopt a Highway business for over 20 years, conducting two clean ups a year, along a stretch of Route 61 in Schuylkill County. In 2024, Hydro employees collected 57 bags of litter during their spring and fall cleanups. Hydro also makes many investments in Schuylkill County through recycling initiatives and sponsorships. In 2024, Hydro unveiled a large expansion of the recycling facility in its Cressona facility in Schuylkill County. With this expansion, the facility will be able to process 64,000 tons of post-consumer scrap annually, an increase of 30,000 tons. The enhanced recycling capacity and capabilities support the shift toward a closed-loop system, allowing aluminum scrap to be reprocessed into new products, further advancing Hydro's sustainability efforts.
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, nominated by Allegheny CleanWays
For the past decade Allegheny CleanWays (ACW) has been partnering with Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy (PPC) to help eliminate litter and illegal dumping throughout city parks. With PPC’s support ACW has been able to remove 2 tons of dumped trash and 106 tires from Hays Woods, 3 tons of dumped trash and 235 tires from McKinley Park and 4 tons, plus 93 tires from Mt. Washington Park. For over five years ACW has participated in ‘What the Muck?,’ the multi-day clean-up effort organized by PPC each spring for Lake Elizabeth in Allegheny Commons Park on the Northside. PPC helps support ACW through collective grants, providing cleanup supplies, volunteer recruitment and social media presence. PPC shares ACW’s passion for cleaner, healthier public parks for all to enjoy. Their staff are organized, reliable, consistent and willing to dive into messy projects right alongside ACW!
Recycling Services, Inc., nominated by Keep Chester County Beautiful
Recycling Services, Inc. (RSI) is a local, Chester County based non-profit recycling center, located in North Coventry Township. RSI volunteered to serve as the drop off location for the county’s campaign sign recycling event that was held in November over a two-week period. RSI helped unload and sort all steel and plastic collected from four collection sites and arranged for the items to be properly recycled. The collection resulted in hundreds of pounds of plastic and well over one thousand pounds of steel for recycling. RSI allowed Keep Chester County Beautiful to use their site, plus they provided volunteers, storage and transportation for the collection. Just as important, RSI provided their invaluable experience. This reduced the learning curve for Keep Chester County Beautiful as RSI provided education on how the materials need to be collected, sorted, stored, and recycled. This first-time event could not have had the level of success it did without the folks of Recycling Services, Inc.!
Stony Creek Anglers , nominated by Keep Norristown Beautiful
The Stony Creek Anglers have been cleaning up Stony Creek in Norristown for nearly 40 years! This past year was their 38th clean-up of the creek and surrounding Elmwood Park. Each clean-up honors the memory of a past member(s) of the Stony Creek Anglers and includes stocking Stony Creek with trout. The Stony Creek Anglers, founded in 1997, provide a meeting place in Montgomery County for all Sports persons of good will - to foster Conservation of Fishing Areas and Game Lands in our Commonwealth - to encourage the protection and propagation of all Wildlife, Game, and Fish - to develop opportunities for the greater enjoyment of Hunting, Fishing, and other outdoor recreation, and to search for solutions to problems of Ecology and Pollution of the natural resources on our Community and Commonwealth. The annual event attracts over 100 volunteers and the support of the local Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts.
Read More about the Stony Creek Anglers:
Annual Story: Stony Creek Clean Up Draws a Crowd
Troutageous! Fishing and Other Nonsense
Stony Creek Anglers hold annual cleanup in Norristown to prepare for opening of trout season
AJ Blosenski, nominated by Keep Chester County Beautiful
In August 2023, Save the Schuylkill, Litter Lifters of West Vincent, Green Valleys Watershed Association, and other volunteers totaling over 100 participants and 50 watercrafts, partnered to clean a section of the Schuylkill River. AJ Blosenski (Waste Connections) donated approximately $4,000 worth of dumpsters and removal fees (including two dumpsters and their drop off/pick up/haul away). AJ also hauled 80 tires to a recycling facility for proper disposal and dumpsters full of improperly disposed of waste that was removed from the Schuylkill River and its banks across a portion of the river spanning between Chester and Montgomery counties.
Public Lands Store, nominated by Allegheny CleanWays
Allegheny CleanWays (ACW) has partnered with Public Lands for the past two years. Four times a year, Public Lands sponsors a dumpsite cleanup, often bringing Public Lands employees to help, and invites ACW to share their mission and programs with customers. Public Lands also displays information about ACW with permanent signage at the store. This past Summer, ACW crew served as "models" for new products. Professional photos of ACW crew in Public Lands clothes and gear are currently used on their website and in promotional emails. Information about the nonprofit is featured on their website, as well. Public Lands is always looking to ACW to tell them where their help is needed the most. Public Lands contributed to the cleanup of: 546 tires during a cleanup in February, 1,250 pounds of debris in April for an Earth Day event and 2,092 pounds of trash including 28 tires in September for Public Lands Day.
Wildheart Ministries, nominated by Keep Dauphin County Beautiful
Love the Hill is an inner-city initiative of Wildheart Ministries for Harrisburg’s Allison Hill. Part of their initiative is to help clean up illegal dumpsites in the City of Harrisburg. The cleanups are beneficial because they contribute to environmental conservation by removing various wastes, enhancing public safety, and fostering community engagement. These efforts will help restore the City's natural beauty, protect wildlife, and create a sense of pride and responsibility among residents. Additionally, addressing illegal dumpsites promptly can prevent further environmental degradation and potential health risks for the community. Their collective efforts have led to a significant reduction in unauthorized waste disposal across the Allison Hill neighborhood. Through community outreach and collaboration with local government, they've effectively raised awareness about responsible waste management, with the goal of improved environmental conditions and a cleaner, more sustainable neighborhood and City.
2022 Awardees
St. Bruno's, nominated by Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling
In 2016 the Creation Care Team began collecting aluminum cans at St. Bruno's events in an effort to reduce landfill waste. After Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling opened the new Recycling Center in 2020, the Creation Care Team added glass bottles and jars to their list of acceptable items. They continued to develop their program when in March of 2022, an Eagle Scout built a recycling shelter on the edge of St. Bruno's property for parishioners and local community members to drop off glass bottles, and tin and aluminum cans. Currently the Creation Care Team consists of six volunteers that monitor the shelter daily. "Since the program began six years ago, the team has collected and recycled over 7, 264 pounds of aluminum cans. No matter the weather, the team of volunteers visit the site daily to ensure that the bins are not overflowing and creating unintentional litter," said Natalie Reece Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling, Program Director.
City of McKeesport, nominated by Allegheny CleanWays
Allegheny CleanWays started working with the City of McKeesport in August of 2020 doing land-based cleanups. McKeesport's City Administrator Tom Maglicco, who recently joined the Allegheny CleanWays board of directors, has been a great advocate for the affiliate's work in the Mon Valley. Tom has not only stepped in to help with cleanups but has gotten media coverage; provided roll-off dumpsters; and helped secure other resources, including local office/storage space, volunteers, and grant funding. The city Code Enforcement Agent, Eric Gumbert, who also works closely with the affiliate, reports illegal dumpsites, offers help anytime it's needed and praises the affiliate's hard work. Lastly, the city public works department has provided tire disposal and has given the affiliate access to their dumpsters and restroom facilities.
Wildheart Ministries, nominated by Keep Harrisburg Beautiful (a program of Tri County Community Action)
Through a six-year partnership, Wildheart Ministries and Keep Harrisburg Beautiful continue to make a huge impact in South Allison Hill by catalyzing various events that transform communities. During the Great Harrisburg Litter Cleanup, 56,260 pounds of trash and 600 tires were removed from public spaces throughout the city, making Harrisburg a cleaner and safer place to live, work and play. "Collaborating together has increased community involvement and increased the amount of trash collected," said Erica Lopez Martinez, Keep Harrisburg-Dauphin County Beautiful Coordinator and Tri County Community Action's Revitalization Coordinator.
Lewistown Borough, nominated by PA CleanWays of Mifflin County
For over 10 years, Lewistown Borough has donated space for the affiliate's annual tire recycling collection. The donation of a safe and convenient space allows the affiliate to continuously offer the community tire disposal at a low rate, reducing the number of illegally dumped tires throughout the community and ensuring proper disposal. Lewistown Borough also partners with the affiliate for their annual Juniata River cleanup by donating dumpsters at a reduced rate.
2021 Awardees
Duquesne Light Company (DLC), nominated by Allegheny CleanWays
Duquesne Light Company (DLC) has been a valuable partner for more than ten years. This partnership provides support, through volunteer time and financial donation for The Tireless Project, the affiliates signature river cleanup program. For Duquesne Light Company it is an opportunity to fulfill their corporate social responsibility goals, provide team building for their employees and give back to the local community.
Evergreen Farms, nominated by Keep Huntingdon County Beautiful
Evergreen Farms was nominated by Keep Huntingdon County Beautiful for supporting the 2021 Annual Juniata River Cleanup. In addition to donating their own time and money, Evergreen Farms contacted other local businesses and organizations to seek donations for the cleanup event. As a result, $2,000 in donations were received to help cover the costs of trash and tire disposal as well as food and water for the volunteers. Thirty hardworking volunteers participated, removing 1,660 pounds of trash and 15 tires from a 2.5-mile stretch of the Juniata River.
Capital Region Water, nominated by Keep Harrisburg Beautiful
Capital Region Water was nominated by Keep Harrisburg-Dauphin County Beautiful for their valuable nine-year partnership. Capital Region Water prioritized the construction of practical ways to address issues of storm water and litter accumulation, provided drivers and trucks to round up accumulated litter during the Great Harrisburg Litter Cleanup and provides street sweeping for the City of Harrisburg. Additionally, CRW advocates for the vision in the Heart of the Hill Community Action Plan which includes numerous physical improvement projects, green spaces and cleanups.
