Keep PA Beautiful Announces Presidents Award, Legacy Award Winners
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Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, formerly PA CleanWays, announced they have awarded Carl Williams with their President’s Award and Jerry Zona with their Legacy Award at their Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner held October 27 at the Fred Rogers Center on the St. Vincent College campus.

           President's Award - Carl Williams
            The President’s Award for Distinction in Volunteerism was developed in 2007. This annual award honors a volunteer who has demonstrated a sustained commitment and exceptional contributions to the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful mission. 
            Carl helped found PA CleanWays of Fayette County, the local affiliate to Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, in 1992. He is a former educator and maintains a strong desire to inspire future generations to become stewards of their environment. 
            Recognizing that engaging local citizens would help multiply his efforts, Carl began campaigning throughout the county to grow an extensive network of volunteers. He has forged partnerships with groups, agencies, and individuals including the Fayette County Solid Waste and Recycling Department, Fayette County Conservation District, Penn State Extension Office, Penn State University, Fish and Boat Commission, Game Commission, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, township supervisors, high school students, civic groups, watershed groups, recreation groups, and local citizens creating personal relationships that have been the force behind successful community events for over 15 years. 
            Carl understands that education is the key to encouraging positive behaviors that can lead to community improvement. With this philosophy in mind, Carl personally distributed tens of thousands of activity books with the focus of litter and illegal dumping prevention to all of the 43 public elementary schools in Fayette County. 
            Since the chapter’s infancy, Carl has taken the lead to promote the adoption of areas where illegal dumping continues to be active through our Adoption Program.  He personally calls each adopter every spring and fall not only to motivate them to get out and clean up Fayette County, but also to thank them for their efforts.   
            Because of Carl’s devotion and determination, 37 municipal roads, trails, and waterways have been adopted and continue to be cared for in Fayette County. Carl maintains 2 of those adoptions personally with the help of his equally dedicated wife, Shelley. 
            Carl is committed to the belief that trash attracts trash. He and the rest of the chapter have done almost 50 illegal dump cleanups in Fayette County.  They expect to eclipse the 700 ton mark this fall in regards to the amount of waste they have removed from the landscape of Fayette County.
            “Carl has made an incredibly positive impact on the Fayette County landscape and its youth,” says Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful President Shannon Reiter.  “We could not be more pleased to honor Carl and recognize him for the tremendous work he has done to make Fayette County a better place to live, work, and play.”
            Legacy Award - Jerry Zona
            In 2008, the Legacy Award was developed to recognize individuals who have made significant and tangible contributions to the organization’s mission. At that time, the award was given to PA CleanWays’ founder, Sue Wiseman.  Jerry Zona is the second recipient of the Legacy Award. 
            Jerry has served the organization in many ways since he joined it in 1993.  He was a co-founder of PA CleanWays of Lawrence County in 1993 and was the Director of that organization from 1993 to 2000 and again from 2002 to 2004.  He has also served as the PA CleanWays Council of Chapters Recording Secretary and the PA CleanWays State Board Director and PA CleanWays State Board President.  
            Jerry was the PA CleanWays of Lawrence County President and the PA CleanWays Staff Regional Director as well.  He has been the Executive Director of PA CleanWays Butler-Lawrence Counties since 2006.  He has also been elected to serve on the Keep Pennsylvania Board of Directors.  Jerry is also the Director of Recycling and Solid Waste of Lawrence County.
            “Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is so pleased to be able to honor Jerry with the Legacy Award as his leadership, community service, and character has served not only his own local community, but the entire Commonwealth,” says Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.
            For more information, visit the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, or to become a member or volunteer, please call 877-772-3673.

11/15/2010

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