Release Date: Mar 9, 2007
File:

Summary:
Montgomery County Solid Waste District Receives $10,000 Grant Award
as part of Nationwide Competition to "Think Green®"

(Dayton, Ohio) Montgomery County Solid Waste District proudly announces that Montgomery County has received a $10,000 cash grant from Waste Management Charitable Foundation through national non-profit Keep America Beautiful, Inc. as part of a nationwide effort that encourages local solutions to improving community environments.

In the competition,  more than 500 local affiliates of Keep America Beautiful were challenged to present proposals for ambitious projects that encourage community improvement through controlling litter, encouraging the "three R's" – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – and improving the community through beautification efforts. Montgomery County Solid Waste District is one of 15 winners nationwide, chosen from a field of 85 entries in the 2006 program.

The winning proposal enables Montgomery County Solid Waste District to work with Boonshoft Museum of Discovery to develop an Exhibits-To-Go program that will focus on the importance of waste reduction and the "three R's'" to protect our environment and our future. The program will be designed in an entertaining, creative, and memorable manner by using interactive activities to communicate this message while at the same time meeting Ohio's curriculum standards.
"Montgomery County Solid Waste District should be proud, as our national organization is proud, for their initiative in developing this winning proposal," said Keep America Beautiful president G. Raymond Empson. "Their work at the local level exemplifies the mission of our national organization by engaging individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community environments. We look forward to seeing this project come to fruition through Waste Management's generous grant."
The wide range of winning programs reflect the diverse interests and needs of the communities involved, and include programs to tackle illegal dumping, hands-on environmental education, media that convey the importance of stewardship to the public including videos and booklets, tree re-planting and recycling events. 
About Keep Montgomery County Beautiful
Keep Montgomery County Beautiful serves as a local affiliate of the national Keep America Beautiful organization. The Board is comprised of various community representatives, including but not limited to, local government, business/industry, education, and service organizations. The purpose of Keep Montgomery County Beautiful is to coordinate and concentrate efforts and actions which shall foster and encourage the progression of litter prevention and awareness activities for Montgomery County, Ohio.
About Waste Management, Inc.
Waste Management, Inc. is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management services. Based in Houston, the company serves municipal, commercial, industrial, and residential customers throughout North America.  The company is strongly committed to a foundation of financial strength, operating excellence and professionalism.  For more information about Waste Management, go to www.wm.com .
About Keep America Beautiful, Inc.
Keep America Beautiful, Inc., established in 1953, is the nation's largest volunteer-based community action and education organization.  This national nonprofit forms public-private partnerships and programs that engage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community environments.  The Great American Cleanup™ is one of its many programs that encourage people to care for communities through volunteer participation.  For additional information, visit www.kab.org.