News Flash

The Hampton Clean City Commission held its annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner on October 24 at the First United Methodist Church Fox Hill on October 24. More than 50 individuals and groups were recognized for their contributions to a Clean & Green Hampton! 

In addition, Jaylen Wilson, owner of Salvage Boyz, a reuse business that encourages people to repurpose, reuse, and upcycle, was the featured speaker for the event. 

Environmental Excellence Awards

The highest honors HCCC bestows on individuals are the Environmental Excellence Awards. These awards recognize individuals who exhibit extraordinary dedication to keeping Hampton clean and green. The awards focus on three aspect of HCCC's program - cleanups, environmental education, and water quality improvement. Only one person is selected for each award annually.

The Bert Carr Litter Prevention Award was established in memory of former HCCC Chair Bert Carr, who was a strong and vocal proponent of a clean and beautiful Hampton. To be eligible for the Bert Carr Litter Prevention Award, winners must have participated in the Adopt-A-Spot program for five or more years extended their environmental service into education efforts beyond the Adopt-A-Spot program.

The 2019 Bert Carr Award was presented to Jackie Cannan, whose work on her adopted spot has extended to educating businesses adjacent to the spot about the importance of keeping their premises clean and serving on the Hampton Clean City Commission Board.

The Harriet Storm Environmental Education Award honors Harriet Nachman Storm, former HCCC Chair, who served on the board from 1996 to 2010 and as an appointed and ex officio member. Harriet was a tireless advocate for the Clean City Commission, to City Council and to the public. She strongly promoted improved environmental education programs, organizational development within HCCC, and public awareness outreach.

The 2019 Harriet Storm Award was presented to Katherine Dermanis for her enthusiastic dedication to educating preschool students about recycling and litter prevention.  Among her accomplishments were the establishment of an annual Recycling Parade at Moton Early Childhood Center and dedication to inviting readers and speakers to the school to teach about environmental topics. 

The Mary Jo Hogge Water Quality Award remembers Mary Jo Hogge, a member of the HCCC Board from 1988 - 1996. Her special love was the coastal beauty of Hampton, and she worked tirelessly to educate citizens about the importance of our coastal environment. Hogge initiated the first Hampton Coastal Conference in October 1990 and implemented succeeding efforts in succeeding years.

The 2019 Mary Jo Hogge Award was presented to Melany Libby, who exemplifies not only Mary Jo Hogge's dedication to our coastal environment, but also her can-do persistence in making change. Melany volunteers for many organizations and events that protect water quality and advocates for water quality on many fronts, including being both a VCE Hampton Master Gardener and a Peninsula Master Naturalist and a member of the Hampton Waterways Restoration Project committee.

Clean City Awards

The Clean City Awards recognize those citizens, organizations, and workplaces that go well beyond the average enthusiasm that is common among clean city advocates in Hampton. They give their whole hearts to making Hampton a cleaner and greener city. Their deeds, which are extraordinary in scope, length of time, or impact, earn the respect and recognition of their peers. They are:

• George Curran, Waterways
• Joanne Drew, Environmental Education
• Gamma Iota Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc, Litter Prevention
• Chris Grady, Litter Prevention
• Kanisha Haskins, Three Rs
• HD Supply Facilities Maintenance, Three Rs
• Wendy Iles, Beautification
• Moton Early Childhood Center, Environmental Education
• John Moyer, HCCC Support
• Claire Neubert, Waterways
• Jamie Osso, Beautification
• Diallo Toure, HCCC Support
• Logan Zwiefelhofer, Three Rs

Green School Awards

The Green School Awards recognize schools that develop environmental programs and activities in six areas: litter prevention, environmental education within the classrooms and in extracurricular activities, school beautification, environmental leadership through related clubs, and energy and water conservation. They are: 

• Booker Elementary School
• Eaton Middle School
• Gloria Dei Lutheran Middle School
• Kecoughtan High School
• Langley Elementary School
• Phenix School
• Spratley Gifted Center
• Asbury Elementary School, Honorable Mention
• Moton Early Childhood Center, Honorable Mention

Golden Litter Stick Awards

The Golden Litter Stick Awards were instituted to recognize the efforts of individual and group participants in the Adopt-A-Spot program who provide extraordinary service to the city by cleaning their spots 20 or more times each year, nearly bi-weekly or more often. Those award winners are: 

• Bellgrade Good Neighbors (27 cleanups)
• Marilyn Burney (26 cleanups)
• Gamma Iota Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (74 cleanups)
• Hampton Citizens Police Academy Alumni Volunteers (131 cleanups)
• Jackie Cannan (33 cleanups)
• Smith Family of Baker Farm (22 cleanups)
• The Romero Family (20 cleanups)
•  Wesley United Methodist Church (22 cleanups)

Extra Mile Awards

The Extra Mile Awards were instituted to recognize the Adopt-A-Spot participants who clean up at least 10 times a year up to 19 times a year. Those award winners are:

• Buckroe Improvement League (10 cleanups)
• Fladger Family (12 cleanups)
• Friends of The Matteson Trail (12 cleanups)
• Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Gamma Omega Chapter (11 cleanups)
• Jack Rezabek & Corlease Sills (12 cleanups)
• Spratley Gifted Center (17 cleanups)
• Zeta Omicron Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (14 cleanups)

Hampton Clean & Green Workplaces Awards

The Clean & Green Workplaces Awards, which are presented quarterly at the regional Virginia Peninsula Clean Business Forums, are based on responsible solid waste management strategies, including litter prevention; maintenance of attractive exteriors and/or grounds; and community involvement, particularly in clean city related activities. The quarterly award winners are also recognized at the annual volunteer recognition event. They were:

• Central United Methodist Church Fox Hill
• Fuller's Raw Bar
• Kroger Company
• Waste Management - Bethel Landfill

Yards Are Really Distinctive Showplaces Contest Awards

YARDS awards are presented at two levels. Monthly, up to three Yard of the Month Awards are presented to the best yards evaluated by volunteers May through September. The winners of the Yard of the Month Awards are considered for additional recognition and one is selected as Yard of the Year. The Yard of the Year is recognized at the annual volunteer recognition event.

The 2019 Yard of the Year winners were Paul and Melanie Stern, Eastlawn Avenue.  Their landscape is a pollinator paradise, with resource conservation and ease of maintenance featured, along with English garden beauty.

The Yard of the Month winners, in alphabetical order, were:

• Dorene Britton, Todd's Lane
• George & Mary Curran, Glascow Way
• Ashton Haywood, Big Bethel Road
• Cleo Parker, Jay Sykes Court
• Melanie Paul, Beauregard Heights
• Reginald Wallen, Mallory Street
• Julie & Steve White, Honeysuckle Hill
• Yvette Zolea, Woodside Drive

Congratulations to all the winners for their efforts in making Hampton a cleaner and greener city!