Way to go Houston!  Keep Houston Beautiful Day is Houston's kick off event for the Great American Cleanup™.  It was a tremendous success thanks to all of the volunteers and the wonderful sponsors that helped.  Republic Waste Service contributed $25,000 to serve as the principal event sponsor for the day.  Firestone recycled used motor oil, tires, and batteries free of charge throughout Houston April 1st through May 31st as part of their sponsorship during the Great American Cleanup™. 

     During the three month campaign a total of 4,330 volunteers pitched in at 157 events where they donated 19,086 hours of their time to beautify and clean esplanades, parks, roads, and schools.  Volunteers collected 6,231 tires, 369,784 pounds of litter and debris, planted 37 trees, removed graffiti from 65 sites and mowed 435 lots.  On Keep Houston Beautiful Day more than 1411 volunteers removed twenty tons of debris from Houston streets, parks, esplanades, and schools.

     The effort in South Union was spearheaded by Dorothy Hughes-Stevenson, President of the South Union Civic Club.  She said, "Our civic club pulled off one of the most successful clean ups in Houston by partnering with KHB and the City of Houston."  Mrs. Stevenson called together civic club members, her South Union Investigative team members, South Union residents, organizations and friends of South Union for commitments of support.  Seniors on the Move staffed the registration tables, Wanda Adams from the Mayor's Citizens Assistance Office was instrumental in getting "The Sweet Talker" from Majic 102.1 Kandi Eastman to come out and cheer on the efforts of the volunteers, Super Neighborhood 68 supported the cleanup efforts,  the Church of Christ and South Union Community Development, Colbert and Ball made a financial contribution for plants, and Gerald Womack donated signs for the event.  The volunteers were assisted by Council Member District D Ada Edwards, Constable Mae Walker, staff representatives from State Representative Al Green's office, Borris Miles, and the Rockets legend Robert Reed in their beautification projects.   They mowed, mulched, and planted trees as well as picked up litter. 

     Firestone was there handing out t-shirts to the volunteers.  They also gathered tires from around Houston and recycled them.  Many of the local area businesses donated ice, sodas, and staples for Keep Houston Beautiful Day.

     Moody Rambin Interests, Inc. employees donated their time cleaning vacant lots.  A-Rocket Moving and Storage Inc. contributed staff and vehicles to deliver equipment to volunteer sites.  Over twenty Houston area schools also participated in this citywide cleanup event.  The Young Republicans also contributed to beautifying efforts that day.  They completely landscaped an esplanade during their volunteer hours creating a pleasant view for commuters.  Houston Parks and Recreation Department joined in the effort and cleaned 27 parks around Houston.

     The local sponsors of Keep Houston Beautiful Day included lead sponsor, Republic Waste Services along with Continental Airlines, City of Houston Solid Waste Management, Mayor Bill White, Houston City Council, Mayor's Citizens Assistance Office, Houston Pepsi Cola, Houston Astros, BFI Waste Services of Texas, LP, Harris County, Houston Police Department's Neighborhood Protection Corps., Houston Independent School District, Majic 102.1, Marathon Oil Company, Parks and Recreation Department, Public Works & Engineering, Texas Department of Transportation.  Thank you all for your support of Keep Houston Beautiful Day and the Great American Cleanup™.