Laurens County Joins Expanding Affiliate Community
(Columbia, SC) – Keep South Carolina Beautiful (KSCB), the state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful (KAB) and a division of PalmettoPride, recently awarded Keep Laurens County Beautiful (KLCB) the Keep South Carolina Beautiful New Affiliate Startup Grant. This grant will assist the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce (LCCC) during the certification process of the new affiliate, KLCB.
The LCCC, in partnership with PalmettoPride, KSCB, Laurens County Council, City of Clinton, City of Laurens, City of Fountain Inn, Laurens County Economic Development Corporation, and law enforcement agencies throughout the County recently formed the Laurens County Litter Prevention Task Force to find solutions to litter through impact, enforcement and education.
On Tuesday, June 22 the taskforce hosted a press conference at the Laurens County Historic Courthouse announcing their commitment to help fund KLCB and hire an affiliate coordinator. “We know with the creation of these partnerships between government and community groups, Laurens County is setting a new standard for future affiliates,” said Mallory Coffey, PalmettoPride KSCB State Leader.
In addition to the council’s financial support, Laurens County and the Municipal Councils passed individual litter control ordinances and resolutions. Amanda Munyan, LCCC President and CEO said, “All law enforcement officers now have the authority to enforce litter laws in the County and within all City limits.”
“PalmettoPride applauds these efforts and commends these local governments for this extraordinary venture. Laurens County is the perfect example of the PalmettoPride four-pronged approach in action. This is the example to follow state and nationwide – affiliates working together with local governments and law enforcement agencies, to ensure their plan follows a behavior change system,” said Coffey.
KLCB will officially join more than 700 KAB affiliates, including 26 state affiliates, and several international affiliates, Fall 2021. In addition, KLCB joins more than 30 other local affiliates across South Carolina.
The affiliate coordinator will be a full-time position and housed at the LCCC. According to the LCCC the “position will oversee volunteers, trainings, grant writing, and multiple anti-litter related initiatives.” Deadline for resume submissions is July 18, 2021. To submit a resume or for additional information on the position, email amunyan@laurenscounty.org.
For additional information on becoming a South Carolina affiliate, email mcoffey@palmettopride.org.
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PalmettoPride is working towards a litter-free South Carolina. Created as a legislative initiative to fight litter and help beautify South Carolina by engaging citizens to take action in their communities through education, enforcement, awareness and pickup. Keep South Carolina Beautiful is the state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful and is housed as a program under PalmettoPride. KSCB oversees nearly 30 affiliates across the state and provides resources, training, and guidance to those affiliates.
Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s leading community improvement nonprofit organization, inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. Established in 1953, Keep America Beautiful strives to End Littering, Improve Recycling and Beautify America’s Communities. We believe everyone has a right to live in a clean, green and beautiful community, and shares a responsibility to contribute to that vision. The organization is driven by the work and passion of more than 600 Keep America Beautiful affiliates, millions of volunteers, and the collaborative support of corporate partners, social and civic service organizations, academia, municipalities, elected officials, and individuals. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.