More than 2,200 volunteers helped make Allen cleaner, healthier and more beautiful last year—and here are the numbers to prove it!
In 2017, Keep Allen Beautiful (KAB) helped thousands of volunteers organize 115 cleanups of highways, waterways and other spots in Allen. Citizens covered 382 miles of roadways, creeks and trails, collecting 21,694 lbs. of litter along the way. These efforts helped Allen achieve its lowest Litter Index Score in thirteen years.
In addition, KAB worked with City of Allen education specialists to teach 8,768 youth and 4,027 adults about environmental responsibility, litter prevention and other earth-friendly topics. The organization's Recycled Art Contest and Arbor Day Poster Contest sparked Allen ISD students' creativity and encouraged community involvement.
"It gives a positive experience for our young citizens to come before city council and be recognized in front of the city – and possibly snap a selfie with the Mayor," said Elias Shaikh, KAB chairperson. "They're just tickled when they walk out of here. It's pretty awesome."
Keep Allen Beautiful also helps organize some of Allen's most anticipated community events. Two major cleanup events, Great American Cleanup and Allen Recycles Day, helped collect more than 220,000 lbs. of unwanted—and often reusable—materials. At Earthfest, more than 1,000 attendees learned about health, wellness and green living at the beautiful Dayspring Nature Preserve.
KAB is already preparing for 2018 events, including Earthfest Allen (April 7) and Great American Cleanup (April 28). Learn more at KeepAllenBeautiful.com.