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We Need You!

The #GreatAmericanCleanup is starting to draw to a close for this spring. Volunteers have made a HUGE impact as everyone can see and feel. If you are one of these awesome volunteers and still have grabbers and other cleanup supplies to return, give us a shout: Cleanups@keeprocklandbeautiful.org. Let’s set a time to meet at our cool Supply Shed in the parking lot New City Bowl!!!

Surviving the Holidays: Sustainability Tips

The holiday season can be hectic for everyone – read on for some tips on slowing down your holiday & thinking of the environment!

  1. Avoid single-use items like plastic & paper plates, cups, & utensils.  They might make cleanup easier, but generates plenty of waste!  Instead, use your finest dinnerware to enjoy a well-cooked meal with those closest to you.  Washing dishes, or using a dishwasher, afterwards will offer well-deserved time to decompress.  
  2. Give reusable gifts – Reusable coffee mugs are excellent gifts for the constant coffee drinker in your life.  Same for water bottles! Know someone who frequently drinks from plastic water bottles? Give them the gift of reuse & help them save money, & the environment!  
  3. “But I’m out of wrapping paper!” –– fear not!  There’s plenty of extra paper to go around – use old newspapers, or other scrap paper to wrap your presents.  Avoid buying holiday wrapping paper – it’s cost-effective & puts an authentic spin on the presentation of your gifts!    
  4. Or, give gifts you can’t wrap: experiences go a long way; plan a day trip, purchase an Air BnB gift card, concert tickets, or other memorable experiences for family & friends.  Experiential gifts may present new & exciting opportunities for the gift receiver, or allow you to spend more time together with your loved ones. Keep Rockland Beautiful membership makes a great gift, too!  
  5. Recycle your Christmas lights: They don’t belong in the trash!  Replace any broken or burnt out bulbs, or dispose of your lights at a local scrap recycler.  Home improvement stores may offer programs to ensure they’re recycled, too – check their policies first before bringing your lights to them!  The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation offers plenty more sustainable holiday tips like this.  
  6. Compost your Christmas tree & keep it out of a landfill!  NYC Mulchfest helps New Yorkers recycle thousands of trees each year.  You can also place in your yard or a wooded area on your property, offering shelter for wildlife & natural decomposition over time.  

Above all, be sure to relax & enjoy this holiday season.  It’s a wonderful time of year to acknowledge your appreciation for the environment, & share your gratitude with family & friends.  From everyone at Keep Rockland Beautiful, Happy Holidays!

Fall Membership Drive

Be A Part of the Solution: Membership with Keep Rockland Beautiful

Our membership drive is taking place just in time for the holiday season. Treat yourself to the magnificent gift of membership while supporting Keep Rockland Beautiful’s operating costs & receive a membership card offering you a variety of benefits & insider deals throughout the Rockland.  

Your membership supports county-wide school-based educational programs & volunteer cleanups in your community.  

In addition to receiving discounts at various participating local businesses, like Back to Earth & New City Bowl, You’ll also receive a car magnet to proudly display your involvement with Keep Rockland

Beautiful, a packet of organic seeds from Hudson Valley Seed Co, & access to exciting get-togethers like our Annual Meeting, Great American Cleanup Wrap-Up Party, special mixers, meet-n’-greets, & more!  

Contribute to a caring, green organization working to improve Rockland’s communities & better the local environment.  Already a member? Surprise your family, friends, or neighbors with a green holiday gift & sign them up today!  

Business & Non-Profit Members also receive a free listing on our Green Business Directory!  An extraordinary opportunity to effectively market your company’s community-minded attitude, & eco-conscious practices, your listing will be visible to thousands of volunteers, members, & supporters who make up the Keep Rockland Beautiful network.  Lunch & Learns, team-building activities, & corporate stewardship events are all made possible through membership with Keep Rockland Beautiful!

For more info on membership levels & benefits, visit Membership Central.  

Gala Success for KRB, Supporters & Honorees

Friday, Nov. 2, Keep Rockland Beautiful’s Annual Awards Gala took place at HNA Palisades Premier Conference Center.  Silent Auctions, Raffles, Awards, and – a casino?

Yes, you read correctly – a casino!  All in attendance were able to try their luck at Black Jack, Craps, & Roulette tables, trying their luck to win items ranging from elegant artwork to unforgettable experiences throughout Rockland, the Hudson Valley, New York State and beyond.  

Beyond the casino, attendees were able to purchase raffle tickets and bid on silent auction items.  

Maria Luisa, Owner of Maria Luisa Boutique in Nyack, left having won a cruise along the Hudson with Nyack Boat Charter.  Jonathan Kupperman, Vice President of Global Development at PDI, excitedly took home a week-long stay in Killington, VT, and an additional three-night stay in the Jersey Shore town of Bay Head, NJ.  

Bill Madden, Director of External Affairs at SUEZ, accepted the Business Partner Award on behalf of the water company.  The company was honored to be recognized and enjoyed the night. Madden said, “The entire SUEZ team thought the event’s format was innovative and fun – we had a wonderful time at the Gala!  We’re happy to partner with and support such a meaningful organization.”

In addition to the Business Partner Award, GARNER Historic District was honored with Keep Rockland Beautiful’s Beautification Award; Katie Welsh, Confidential Assistant to the Mayor of West Haverstraw, received the Cleanup Leader Award, and Jacob Tanenbaum, Teacher at Cottage Lane Elementary School, graciously accepted the Education Award.  

Sonia Cairo, Keep Rockland Beautiful Executive Director, commended the honorees’ dedication to environmental education, conservation, and keeping local streets and streams litter-free while preserving our natural and historic resources.  

The Annual Awards Gala is an event to look forward to every year – a classic recognition for those working to improve our local environment and celebrate green initiatives throughout the county that Keep Rockland Beautiful!