Ore City Citizens To Host "Clean Community" Meeting on October 28th

(Austin, Texas) - Who is going to Keep Ore City beautiful? A group of Ore City residents are spearheading efforts to make sure "We All Do."

"This is about instilling pride in a community," said Gail Weir, president of Keep Ore City Beautiful and an affiliate of Keep Texas Beautiful. "This is a charming town. All the residents of Ore City really love living here. But, as the town gets older, everything begins to look a little rough around the edges. Ore City needs a lift and the volunteers of Keep Ore City Beautiful are committed to beautification, litter prevention, and recycling programs."

The local group began when Ore City volunteers took notice that neighboring Gilmer was doing all the right things when it came to recycling and other environmental projects. Wayne and Cal Arnold, residents of Gilmer and coordinators of Keep Gilmer Beautiful, assisted the core group of Ore City volunteers in organizing their efforts. "Before we became Keep Ore City Beautiful, there were a number of volunteers who came out to support our first event," commented Weir. "People may remember the Trash Walk we hosted last year. Now that we have some successes behind us, we'll be able to plan numerous events that everyone in Ore City can take part in. That will be the true key to our success - all the residents of Ore City committed to doing their part to make our town one of the most beautiful and clean cities in Texas."

Weir credits the city council members for supporting the efforts of the group as well as founding volunteers Richard and Nell Freedman. Many know the Freedman's for the large trailer that sits on their front yard the fourth Saturday of the month for the purpose of recycling pick-up. Nell has also been credited with moving the group forward to become affiliated with Keep Texas Beautiful. She even accepted a donation from the local chapter of A.A.R.P. on behalf of Keep Ore City Beautiful to pay the dues to become a Keep Texas Beautiful Proud Community.

"Becoming an affiliate of Keep Texas Beautiful will help all of us in Ore City," said Nell Freedman. "There are nearly 300 other communities that are associated with Keep Texas Beautiful. That's a lot of resources for us, as well as partnerships we can make with other communities from all over the state."

Keep Texas Beautiful, the nonprofit state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, strives to empower Texans through education to take responsibility for enhancing their community's environment. KTB works with volunteers, elected officials, businesses and state and federal agencies to ensure that every Texan has the opportunity to take individual responsibility for making Texas the cleanest, most beautiful state in the nation.

dKeep Ore City Beautiful will hold its monthly meetings the fourth Saturday of the month at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall. Citizens, youth groups such as boy scout and girl scout troops and civic organizations are encouraged to attend the next important meeting on Saturday, October 28th. For more information on Keep Ore City Beautiful or to attend the meeting, please contact Gail Weir at 968-2511 or Nell Freedman at 968-3622.

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