KLB ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF

2008 COMMUNITY GRANTS

For the third consecutive year, KLB is offering grants to communities committed to reducing litter in their jurisdictions. This years winners include:

Ascension Parish Government

City of Baker
Gibsland Youth Community Resource Center

Keep Abbeville Beautiful

Keep Baton Rouge Beautiful
Keep Cenla Beautiful

Keep Covington Beautiful

Keep DeRidder Beautiful

Keep Hammond Beautiful

Keep Mandeville Beautiful

Keep Monroe Beautiful
Keep Morehouse Beautiful

Keep New Iberia Beautiful

Keep St. John Beautiful

Keep Slidell Beautiful

Ouachita Parish Police Jury

Shreveport Green

Town of Ball

Washington Parish Government

KLB would like to thank all applicants for their recent submissions.  All proposals were outstanding. 

FORMER FIRST LADY'S LEGACY HONORS

KLB'S JACKIE DRINKWATER POOLE

December 7, 2007—Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s Jackie Drinkwater Poole received the 2007 Keep America Beautiful “Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson Award” during KAB’s 54th annual National Conference on December 7, 2007, in Washington, D.C.

Poole was honored with the Lady Bird Johnson Award, which is presented annually in commemoration of the former First Lady’s exceptional leadership in litter prevention and beautification activities.  She was recognized for her dedication to Keep Louisiana Beautiful and her active role in assisting with Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts in New Orleans.

“This year’s Lady Bird Johnson Award recipient has been instrumental in creating and institutionalizing a very strong affiliate presence for Keep America Beautiful in Louisiana,” said KAB President G. Raymond Empson. “Jackie Poole has used knowledge and persistence to make a meaningful difference in the lives of many, whether through the development of KLB or the restoration of Hurricane Katrina-stricken New Orleans. She’s an example for us all to follow.”

Poole was instrumental in bringing Dr. George Kelling, renowned for his “broken window theory”, to the 2005 Keep Louisiana Beautiful state conference where she organized a special meeting for him to address New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and state legislators. Poole’s goal was to help change the perception among Louisiana community and political leaders that litter is merely a cosmetic problem. Dr. Kelling explained how one broken window sets off a chain reaction of physical deterioration, which leads to crime, economic downturn and a lessened quality of life.

Attendees soon recognized how prophetic Dr. Kelling’s words were as two days after the state conference, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans creating more broken windows than anyone could have imagined.  Poole immediately supported and volunteered for many recovery efforts.  She also worked to assist Southwest Louisiana, which was devastated by Hurricane Rita three weeks after Katrina took its toll on New Orleans.  She helped direct donated supplies and funds from out-of-state to local organizations in New Orleans and Lake Charles, LA, and volunteered for clean-up projects in the French Quarter prior to the first Mardi Gras following Katrina.

“The importance of what Jackie Poole has done to benefit our state is inestimable,” said former Louisiana Governor Mike Foster. “As far as I am concerned, Jackie Poole is a true Louisiana hero.”

KEEP LOUISIANA BEAUTIFUL NEEDS YOUR HELP TO FIGHT LITTER

Keep Louisiana Beautiful, affiliated with Keep America Beautiful, is a volunteer-based nonprofit organization dedicated to litter reduction through education, enforcement and cleanups. Below are a few of the many ways you can get involved.

Report Litterbugs  

The Department of Environmental Quality maintains a toll-free number to report litter and illegal dumping. 

1-888-LIT-R-BUG  (1-888-548-7284)

Pitch In

Cleanups and beautification projects are taking place across the state with our affiliates and partners. Sign up here to volunteer and make a difference in your community.

Join the Movement

You are our most valuable asset. Join us in the fight against litter by becoming a member of Keep Louisiana Beautiful. Your contribution will be utilized in efforts to assist in enhancing KLB’s three-pronged approach to tackling the litter problem:

• Education
• Enforcement
• Clean-up

Check back soon for more membership info.