Keep Irving Beautiful Presents Annual Awards - Thirteen Individuals and Groups Honored in Ten Categories

Irving, TX, August 10, 2017 --(PR.com)-- Keep Irving Beautiful’s annual “Mayor and KIB Awards” ceremony was held on Monday, August 7 at the First Baptist Church of Irving. The Fellowship Hall was filled with the beautiful music of harpist Becky Scherschell as the 151 guests were greeted and signed in by volunteers Sandy Franco, Chuck Kirk, Elouise McMillian, and Chandler Ude. They enjoyed a delicious appetizer buffet prepared by Glory House Catering, while T.J. Friedel captured the moments with her photography and Matt Webb provided technical support.

KIB’s Volunteer Recognition Committee chair and hostess for the evening Margie Stipes opened the ceremony by inviting members of Boy Scout Troop 508 to present the colors and lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Gus Gonzalez from Blue Print Church delivered the invocation, after which KIB Staff Rick Hose and Julie Schmitt gave an overview of activities during the past year. Mistress of Ceremonies Cathy Whiteman of Irving Community Television Network, accompanied by honorary chair Mayor Rick Stopfer, then came on stage to present the awards to the following honorees:

Youth Leadership Award: Boy Scout Troop 508
Educator Award: Kelly Giddens, Principal, Barton Elementary
Educator Award: Brandon Morton, North Lake College
Faith Group Award: Baptist Benevolent Ministries of Irving
Business and Industry Award: FASTSIGNS Irving/Las Colinas
Business and Industry Award: Verizon
Media Award: Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce
Civic Organization Award: DFW Humane Society
Lifetime Achievement Award: Shareen Altum
Civil Servant Award: Detective John Schingle, Irving Police Department
Green Government Award: City of Irving Water Utilities Department
KIB Hometown Award: Barry Allen
KIB Hometown Award: David Palmer

In addition to these winners, recipients of national and state awards were also recognized. These included the City of Irving Code Enforcement, which won First Place in the Overall Community Improvement category from Keep America Beautiful, and Second Place in the Government Category from Keep Texas Beautiful. Keep Irving Beautiful was acknowledged for achieving the President’s Circle Award from Keep America Beautiful, the Gold Star Award from Keep Texas Beautiful, and the Award of Sustained Excellence at both the state and national level.

“Speaking for myself and for many of us on the KIB Board of Directors, this is one of our favorite events of the year,” said Mrs. Stipes. “While we do try to let our volunteers and sponsors know how much they mean to us throughout the year, it is especially nice to have an event that is dedicated to expressing our gratitude to them and recognizing those who have gone above and beyond in their service to our community. We are truly honored to have them here as our guests for this very special evening.”

Keep Irving Beautiful is a non-profit, grassroots, leadership organization dedicated to educating our community about litter abatement, recycling, and beautification to help preserve the health and promote the social and economic prosperity of our city. As an award-winning affiliate of Keep America Beautiful and Keep Texas Beautiful, Keep Irving Beautiful reaches out to all sectors of our city including government, business, church, cultural, educational, neighborhood and civic organizations. If you are interested in volunteering with KIB, or making your activity a “green event,” please go to Keep Irving Beautiful, or call (972) 721-2175.