Owasso – November 20, 2014: The City of Owasso’s Strong Neighborhood Initiative (OSNI) received special recognition from the Keep Oklahoma Beautiful Environmental Excellence Awards Celebration.
The Owasso Strong Neighborhood’s program, Owasso CARES (Community And Residents Encourage Service), was awarded the Great American Cleanup Achievement Award presented by Devon Energy at the 24th Annual Keep Oklahoma Beautiful Environmental Excellence Awards Celebration in Oklahoma City on November 20, 2014. OSNI Owasso CARES was also presented the Team Builders Award by KOB staff. The program was named as one of four finalists for the “Best of the Environmental Best” for 2014, In 2012, the Owasso CARES program was awarded the KOB Environmental Excellence Award for Government Program, and in 2013, the OG&E Innovation Award.
The Great American Cleanup is the nation’s largest annual community improvement program. In Oklahoma, the program is sponsored statewide by Devon Energy and coordinated by Keep Oklahoma Beautiful. The cleanup offers a significant opportunity for residents to generate a sense of community. The Keep Oklahoma Beautiful statewide Environmental Excellence Awards recognize the good works of Oklahomans for exceptional environmental improvement efforts.
The Owasso CARES volunteer program was developed in 2010 through the Owasso Strong Neighborhood Initiative. Directed by Jerry Fowler and led by a committee of neighborhood leaders, the program is designed to bring residents, volunteers and city staff together in a private-public partnership to make a positive impact in Owasso. The group hosts bi-annual spring and fall Day of Service for volunteers to beautify streets, neighborhoods, and parks.
On April 26, 2014, the OSNI Owasso CARES eighth bi-annual Day of Service attracted 259 volunteers that hauled off 28 loads of tree and limb debris; two 30-yard dumpsters full of debris and trash were hauled off; 6 miles of streets and highways were cleaned; and 59 fire hydrants were painted. After coordinating the ninth bi-annual Day of Service in September of this year, Owasso CARES has now had over 1,300 volunteers who have contributed almost 4,000 hours of service.
For information about Owasso Strong Neighborhood Initiative and its award winning program, Owasso CARES, contact Jerry Fowler, Neighborhood Coordinator, at 918-376-1556 or jfowler@cityofowasso.com. For more information from the City of Owasso, contact Chelsea Levo, Economic Development Director and Public Information Officer at (918) 346-2665.
