The
Dan River Basin Association (DRBA), in partnership with Henry County Public Schools
and Henry County, has been awarded a grant to increase public awareness of
litter prevention. The “Keep Virginia Beautiful” grant features a logo contest in
which area students will compete for the design that may be placed on one or
more county garbage trucks.
“We
are thrilled to partner with DRBA and Henry County Schools on this project,”
said Henry County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jim Adams. “Our community needs everyone working together
to tackle our litter problem, and this is a great start.”
One
winning student's artwork and one winning student's slogan will be selected for
an anti-litter marketing campaign. The
final product will be displayed on various items: signage, t-shirts, caps,
stickers, etc., to be distributed locally.
Additionally, a county-wide event will be held riverside to clean up
litter along the Smith River. Henry
County also has proposed that new garbage trucks use the artwork/slogan for reinforcement
as they travel the County. “Having children design the artwork and slogan provides a sense of accomplishment for the students and educates them about the litter problem,” said Brian Williams, DRBA project leader. “We believe the anti-litter marketing campaign will bring a large number of people to a clean-up event, including the media, and that the areas alongside the Smith River in Henry County will experience a tremendous amount of community pride in their children and river.”
DRBA Executive Director, Tiffany Haworth, said the nonprofit is excited about “this very visible” project. “I’d love to see this happen in communities throughout the Dan River Basin,” she said.
"Henry
County Public Schools looks forward to partnering with DRBA and Henry County on
this issue. Our students are creative, critical thinkers who will undoubtedly
be part of the solution in taking care of our community today and in the
future," said Melany Stowe, spokesperson.
DRBA
preserves and promotes the natural and cultural resources of the Dan River
Basin through recreation, education and stewardship. Keep Virginia Beautiful
provided opportunities for government, non-profit and/or service organizations
in Virginia to apply for one of 30 grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 in three
different categories: beautification,
litter prevention, and recycling. These
grants are made possible by KVB partners Capital One, Waste Management and
Lowe’s.