Keep Whitesboro Beautiful (KWB) held a special meeting on Thursday, May 16 to celebrate the recent honor of receiving the 2024 Governor’s Community Achievement Award (GCAA). This $110,000 grant was presented to them for outstanding community improvement.
Held at Cook’s Main Stage in downtown Whitesboro from 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m., the reception included refreshments and presentations by KWB president Michael Ross and vice president
Rhonda Ross.
After an invocation by KWB member Betsy Cook (who also served as grant writer for the GCAA), Michael began the evening by welcoming everyone and thanking dignitaries in attendance. Those included representatives from the offices of Grayson County Judge Bruce Dawsey and Grayson County Commissioner Phyllis James; last year’s Whitesboro City Councilmen Ben Edwards and Carla Woolsey; newly-elected City Councilmen Ronnie Fielder and Su Welch; Whitesboro Mayor David Blaylock; City Administrator Julie Arrington; EDC Director Lynda Anderson; and Whitesboro Chief of Police, Alex Coss. Other guests included KWB members and supporters.
“We’re very proud, as a city, of KWB,” Mayor Blaylock said. “It’s a great group doing great things. We’re so very happy about this grant. Thank you to all the folks who come out and work – you really make a difference.”
Michael gave a brief overview about the organization, explaining that KWB is a non-profit organization whose board is elected by general membership. Then, the board determines who will fill which role. Not all members are citizens of Whitesboro – anyone is welcome to join and volunteer.
Rhonda then presented a Year in Review, which explained KWB membership consists of 36 families/individuals and 12 businesses. Over the past year, members, partners and volunteers have logged 2,318 volunteer hours dedicated to beautifying Whitesboro (which the state equated to over $70,000 in value to the community).
Some of the activities KWB has participated in over the past year include their 15th anniversary; city general litter survey (during which they removed 150 pounds of trash and debris from entering Lake Texoma); Keep America Beautiful Great American Cleanup; City of Whitesboro 150th anniversary; roof restoration of the historic well downtown; Peanut Festival; Adopt-a-Pot; downtown Christmas event and more. Most recently, KWB created a community butterfly garden at Trollinger Park.
Rhonda next spoke about the GCAA and the specific stipulations regarding the grant money. KWB is one of 10 communities in Texas to win this prestigious award. The $110,000 grant must be used for a landscape project to be completed by TxDOT along a state-maintained roadway. KWB received this award in 2011 and used the money for downtown median renovations that included landscaping, electrical, lighting and speaker system. They came in third place last year.
Per TxDOT’s specifications, KWB has formed a committee and designated a spokesperson. Next, they will conduct research and gain member input, then consult a landscape master plan (if available). They will then meet with TxDOT district personnel to discuss the scope of the project and develop the plans to move forward.
At the conclusion of Rhonda’s presentation, Michael opened the floor to any members or volunteers who would like to say anything about their experiences with KWB. Some gave thanks to past members for building a solid foundation for the organization and current members for keeping the organization focused on the group’s mission. Others spoke about their appreciation to the volunteers who do the work that beautify the town and to those who help keep the community connected to the group via social media.
Laura Cook of Cook’s Main Street Mercantile commended the group’s most recent downtown Christmas event, saying it was the first time businesses on the east side of Main Street felt included in the activities (and commerce) that the event brings to downtown.
All in attendance showed gratitude and appreciation for the organization, who in turn thanked everyone for their support (in membership, volunteer hours or otherwise). The meeting ended with a reminder that KWB cannot succeed without its members and volunteers.
“We know everyone’s busy,” Rhonda said. “But we don’t need all of your time. Even just a little bit from each person can make a big difference.”
To learn more about joining KWB, email [email protected].
