Environmentally-Focused Nonprofit Combines Two Events in One at 11th Governor’s Environmental Address
Lawrenceville, Ga. – October 17, 2017 – With the esteemed Governor Nathan Deal as headliner, Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful hosted hundreds of business, community and youth leaders at its 11th Environmental Address on October 11 at the Infinite Energy Center. Whereas the environmentally-focused nonprofit has historically held two major annual fundraising events in the past – one to discuss the environmental future of the State of Georgia and the other to honor environmental stewards from the previous year, Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful opted to combine its ECoS (Environmental Consciousness and Stewardship) Awards Ceremony with the Environmental Address.
“Our staff and board have been looking at ways to streamline operations and evolve in positive new directions at Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful for some time now,” explained Schelly Marlatt, GCB Executive Director. “This seemed like a wonderful forum to look towards the future while honoring those who have helped pave the way and serve as shining examples for others to follow.”
In addition to lunch and introductions by Marlatt and Chairman Charlotte Nash of Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, during his speech Governor Deal highlighted the dichotomy between Georgia’s impressive and continued growth paired with its status as one of the Top 5 Cleanest States in particulate pollution levels and a 30% decrease in water usage statewide. He also touted Gwinnett County as the “poster child” for the treatment and return of clean water back to the system, setting an example for other communities in the state. To conclude the event, Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful rewarded two local students with scholarships and honored outstanding environmental stewards from the community. Those recognized include:
- Tyler Heath and Candi Abbey of Georgia Gwinnett College – the pair received $2500 scholarships in honor of Gwinnett County Public School’s former COO, Jim Steele.
- 2017 Green Business Award – Rubicon
- 2017 Green Community Partner – Yellow River Water Trail
- 2017 Green Government – City of Peachtree Corners
- 2017 Jim Steele Green Educator – Lanier High School
- 2017 Connie Wiggins Environmental Legacy Award – Rudy Bowen
About Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful: Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful Services, Inc. (GCB) is a Keep America Beautiful affiliate and award-winning 501(c)(3) charitable organization. It boasts an expansive community-based network dedicated to finding long-term solutions to environmental and quality of life issues through individual action. The organization is guided by a Citizens Advisory Board that represents all sectors of the Gwinnett County community. A nationally recognized leader in creating cleaner, greener and more livable communities throughout Gwinnett, GCB involves more than 100,000 volunteers annually to clean and restore public places, recycle more, protect watersheds and develop the next generation of environmental stewards. To learn more about Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful, please visit www.GwinnettCB.org.