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Recognition of Lois Lewis, recipient of the Carolyn Crayton Woman of the Year Award from the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation
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ISSUE: Recognition of Lois Lewis
BACKGROUND: Lois became part of Keep Smyrna Beautiful in 1992 through a friend. She began as a volunteer, became a board member, then Treasurer, and served as Coordinator for "Bring One for the Chipper" which included working directly with the local Home Depot and encouraging them to give over their breakroom for KSB volunteers on Chipper day. She coordinated volunteers, bagged tree seedlings, arranged for food, and anything else needed for the event. Lois also worked closely with the Adopt-A-Mile program. It was a natural fit for her due to her statement that she hated seeing the litter around the City. As Treasurer, she kept the organization straight on financials. She served in that capacity for over 10 years. She worked tirelessly at planting over Jonquil bulbs with other volunteers all around the city, worked with teachers on recycling programs in the 12 Smyrna schools, and also assisted with Earth Day, America Recycles Day and Rivers Alive, the Litter Free concert events, and at all the festivals held in Smyrna. KSB has been recognized by the state and nationally in no small part due to Lois and her enthusiasm and energy. Lois found community support for KSB’s Work Glove Luncheon and Garden Tour. The Work Glove Luncheon honors the men and women in the Public Works, Community Development, Utility, and Parks departments who are outdoors in all kinds of weather 24/7. Lois gathered raffle items from all the businesses in Smyrna to help celebrate these employees. The Annual Garden Tour is KSB’s major fundraising event. The proceeds from the event are used to fund the beautification grants given to Smyrna schools. Lois was out in the community, again, garnering sponsors, food donations, and raffle items for this event. Each year, the Garden Tour has seen an increase in participation from the community and over $90,000 has been raised for school grants. No job is too small for Lois. She is willing to fold t-shirts, vests, wash gloves and tablecloths, and roll trash bags for the Litter Free concerts. Other volunteers see her enthusiasm and jump in to whatever needs to be done. Lois sums up her time with KSB as being one of the best organizations she has been involved with in her life. She has met so many wonderful people, seen her community become cleaner and greener, and she feels really good about getting out and doing something useful.
RECOMMENDATION/REQUESTED ACTION: Recognition