Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz, and Eric Roe presented a citation this week to Kelly McDowell, who was named Volunteer of the Year through the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful statewide program.

The Volunteer of the Year Program acknowledges individuals for their significant and positive impacts on keeping their local communities clean and beautiful. Since 2017, Kelly’s volunteer group, People Who Use Trash Cans, has hosted the Great American Cleanup of PA – Chester County every weekend from March through May.

The Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful award was presented through the County’s affiliate group, Keep Chester County Beautiful, by staff members Rachael Griffith and Carrie Conwell. The award noted Kelly’s many contributions, which began with a litter clean-up in 2013 along a stretch of Route 1 in southern Chester County. It goes on to say, “During [Kelly’s] first pick-up, she collected over 450 bags of trash, and to date has collected over 11,100 bags of litter and 430 tires. Her cleanup season, which she has held annually since 2017, typically draws between 50 to 100 volunteers. Kelly cares deeply about the environment and a litter-free Chester County.”

The Volunteer of the Year Program is a recognition program for Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and its local affiliates that honors outstanding volunteers for their dedication and passion within their community. 

To learn more about Keep Chester County Beautiful, visit chescoplanning.org/Environmental/KCCB/. On social media, follow @keepchestercountybeautiful or by searching #KeepChesCoBeautiful.