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Keep Laredo Beautiful reviews Earth Day, film series and volunteer calendar; schedules cleanups and partnerships
Summary
Keep Laredo Beautiful staff used the March 19 meeting to brief the board on event planning, grants and partnership opportunities including Earth Day, Gulf Coast cleanup, Adopt‑a‑Highway and a sponsored film series.
Keep Laredo Beautiful staff used the March 19 meeting to brief the board on event planning, grants and partnership opportunities for spring and summer programming, and to request volunteers for scheduled cleanups.
Staff reported the affiliate has 64 volunteers signed for its central Earth Day event and plans to cap participation at 120. The Earth Day program will include litter pickup, tree planting and trail/brush clearing at multiple locations including Eastwoods Park (also called the park by the rec center) and Slaughter Park. Sponsors and in-kind supporters listed during the meeting included Uber Freight, Apache Tree Corporation, AEP, Concentrix (food donation) and Rotary; staff said Coca-Cola also committed treats. Rotary will count volunteer hours for its members and will provide volunteers for the event.
The board reviewed a separate Gulf Coast cleanup partnership to remove debris from waterways and wetlands leading toward the Gulf; staff reported participation in that program is scheduled for May 10 and that location confirmation remains pending pending partner sign-ups. The board also confirmed the affiliate’s Adopt‑a‑Highway cleanup is scheduled for April 5 (calendar invites to follow) and discussed volunteer shift registration procedures.
Staff presented an H‑E‑B film‑series opportunity: the sponsor will provide a $500 gift card on completion of requirements for showing five educational films (July–August period discussed by staff). The sponsor’s rules require at least 15 audience members per showing and photographic proof of attendance; staff discussed likely venues (rec centers, Boys & Girls Club, library or TAMIU student centers) and recommended using community rec centers to guarantee audience counts for summer programs rather than outdoor screenings that would require additional permits and equipment.
Board members also discussed a possible collaboration with Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) to revive and reconfigure a rundown campus community garden. Staff and members proposed a role for Master Gardeners to provide curriculum and training while the affiliate supplies tools and material support. Board members emphasized the partnership’s potential as an ongoing educational site but noted the need for a clear division of maintenance responsibilities before committing staff time.
Other items in the staff report included website and domain access work (staff to schedule a workshop with a vendor/volunteer named Jean), final reports and grant deadlines (Trees for Texas due May 30, a recent Code Enforcement Association of Texas community service award received in February) and volunteer coordination for a large summer “big event.” Staff asked board members to share nomination and promotion materials for a Reader’s Choice Awards campaign and for a best-yard contest the affiliate is promoting.
Staff said they will circulate specific sign-up documents, calendar invites and sponsor confirmations by email and requested board members recruit volunteers for the April and May events.
