A number of volunteers, community groups and neighborhoods were honored Thursday at the  Clean Pittsburgh Commission’s Meet and Greet Mixer with the “Bob Awards” for their efforts to beautify city neighborhoods. 

The Awards, a tribute to the late Mayor Bob O’Connor and his dedication to cleaning up the city, were created to recognize local efforts to clean-up, prevent and eliminate litter in City neighborhoods and were presented by Councilman Corey O’Connor and Judy O’Connor.

Awards presented at the event included the following: Volunteer of the Year to Minette Vasccariello for her work in Garfield, Neighborhood of the Year to Garfield for the neighborhood’s work eliminating blight and starting a number of community gardens on vacant property, Redd Up Zone of the Year to Pittsburgh Sterrett 6-8, and Youth Leader Award to Logan Byers, organizer of Logan’s Litter League.

Boris Weinstein was also awarded a Bob Award for his lifetime of service to the City of Pittsburgh and keeping it clean through his Citizens Against Litter grassroots litter prevention program.

The “Bob Awards” were a highlight of the CPC’s annual Meet n’ Greet Mixer honoring neighborhood leaders called Clean Pittsburgh Stewards.  The Stewards were able to mingle with City department heads, Councilmembers, and other leaders from local community organizations in order to engage each other on beautification efforts city-wide.  Mayor Peduto was also scheduled to be on hand to address the stewards. 

The CPC, a commission of the City whose mission is to improve the environmental quality of life for Pittsburgh residents, also took the opportunity to present its 2013 Annual Report.

The Annual Report details activities involving litter prevention, illegal dumping, vacant lots and buildings, abandoned cars, graffiti, greening, fines and enforcement.

For more information, visit the Clean Pittsburgh Commission website.

5/5/2014