(February 20, 2024) PA State Senator Patrick Stefano, PA Senate District 32 of Fayette County, nominated Sheila Shea for the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Community Pride Award in recognition of her efforts to increase and expand recycling efforts throughout Fayette County.

“Sheila has done an outstanding job growing Fayette County’s recycling program over the past years. It’s because of her efforts that recycling is more accessible throughout the county now than ever before,” Stefano said. “Surrounding counties not only look to her as an example but ask to participate in our recycling program. Sheila is always one to go above and beyond and her accolades are well-deserved.”

Shea is the Fayette County Recycling Coordinator, Stormwater Manager and Coordinator of Keep Fayette County Green, the local affiliate of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. Shea joined the county in March 2017 and since then has been instrumental in expanding recycling across the county and establishing recycling pickup locations through many of the rural areas of Fayette County.

Her hard work has attracted attention from other nearby counties wanting to replicate the system she developed. Her efforts have not only kept tons of paper, plastic and metals out of the landfill, but also from being dumped illegally on the back roads of Fayette County, spoiling its natural beauty.

“I want to thank Pat for nominating me for this award. I’m so grateful for the support I’ve received from our state legislators and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. I was so surprised and humbled to be honored for my work,” said Shea. “I’m incredibly proud of the program we’ve built over the years and how it’s expanded since we started working with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. I would not be able to do this without our citizens rallying behind us to help beautify our Fayette County communities.”

“Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful congratulates Sheila for her efforts to keep Fayette County clean and beautiful. Sheila has been a part of our affiliate network since 2022 and is always willing to share her knowledge and process to help other affiliates achieve their recycling goals. Providing recycling opportunities to rural areas of the county has always been a challenge. I am delighted to recognize Sheila for her hard work and advocacy for a clean and beautiful Pennsylvania. We are grateful to Senator Stefano for recognizing Sheila for her many contributions to the local community. We encourage all public officials to recognize the noble and necessary work and the special people who coordinate programs that keep our communities clean and beautiful,” said Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.

The Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Community Pride Award recognizes outstanding environmental stewardship by an individual, school, community organization or civic group that makes an outstanding commitment to litter control, recycling, beautification or general environmental stewardship. The community Pride Award is available to elected officials to recognize those in the community working to change behaviors at the local level. Elected officials interested in nominating a constituent for a Community Pride Award should visit keeppabeautiful.org and choose grants and awards, then awards, then Community Pride Award for more information. The award is open on a rolling basis.

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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 155 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.

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