Organization celebrates certification

florence - Keep the Shoals Beautiful celebrated at its official certification ceremony Friday in the Shoals Center for Business and Economic Development.

The organization is an affiliate of the Keep America Beautiful national organization and joins 13 other Keep America Beautiful groups across Alabama.

Cecile Carson, a representative of Keep America Beautiful, said the national organization seeks to reduce litter and waste through education and prevention.

"Keep America Beautiful is a program about sustainability," Carson said. "We believe, in order to be successful, that we not only pick the litter up, but also educate the community about litter prevention."

The national organization sets the standard for local affiliates to spread the word and encourage communities to take part in litter reduction and prevention, as well as beautification efforts, she said.

Malinda Harrison, chairwoman of the Keep the Shoals Beautiful board of directors, said there are many local individuals who have jumped on board with the organization.

"It seems to take a wholistic approach. It's education campaigns for all ages of people and for businesses to reduce their waste, and it's figuring out where the litter is coming from and trying to encourage people to take an extra effort," Harrison said.

The Shoals Chamber of Commerce helped facilitate the establishment of Keep the Shoals Beautiful organization, which has a 15-member board of directors.

Shoals Chamber of Commerce Chairman-elect David Jones said the program is going to be important, especially with the recent announcement of industry coming to the Shoals such as National Alabama Corp. and other businesses of its kind.

"Keeping our community clean is such an integral part of economic development but also a part of the quality of life," Jones said.

"Holding our community accountable, I think, is the crux of what will make this successful."

Sarah Beth Vandiver, coordinator of Keep the Shoals Beautiful, said the organization is worthwhile and will benefit the entire area.

"We don't want to stop any existing program out there. We want to someday become an umbrella for them," Vandiver said.

Kenda Williams can be reached at 740-5720 or kenda.williams@timesdaily.com.