By Tamas Mondovics
The Annual Treasures of Tampa Bay Awards Breakfast presented by Mosaic, which recognizes businesses, groups and individuals for their commitment to the Tampa Bay environment, is now seeking nominations ahead of its end-of-the-month event ceremony.
Hosted by Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, the event is scheduled to take place at the Florida State Fairgrounds on January 29.
That there is no shortage of those who go out of their way to make the Tampa Bay area a cleaner, safer and more beautiful place to live, was seen during the recent Hillsborough River and Coastal Cleanup, which was held this past October.
The event attracted over 4,500 volunteers who tended to over 70 sites throughout Hillsborough County. Clean up organizers said that efforts removed over 50,000 lbs of litter and debris from the county’s shorelines, parks, roadways and neighborhoods.
According to Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful (KTBB) Community Education Liaison Patricia A. DePlasco, nominations are currently being accepted for categories including litter prevention/removal, community improvement, neighborhood beautification, recycling/waste reduction, people’s gardens and innovative green initiatives.
“A girl scout troop that has really made an impact in your area, or a boy scout who just completed his Eagle Scout Project, a school group who you feel has really made a difference, or a business who has gone above and beyond to “Go Green”, are all great nominee candidates,” DePlasco said.
DePlasco added that a civic organization that has made a real impact in the community, or an individual who has far surpassed the expectations of an environmental protector, can also join the list of recommendations for a Treasure of Tampa Bay Award.
“All nominations are welcome,” she said, but added that nomination submission should reach KTBB by January 9.
Winners of the Treasures of Tampa Bay Awards will be announced during the awards breakfast ceremony.
Nomination applications are available on the KTBB website at www.KeepTampaBayBeautiful.org. Residents may contact KTBB for more information on nominating, attending or sponsoring the Annual Awards Breakfast at info@keeptbb.org or 221-8733.
