Description:
Ms. Johnson is a valuable asset to her community. She has been instrumental in creating a "Get Green in Gastonia" personality to every citizen and program. She has the ability to empower people to reach beyond their expectations and to educate others on environmental awareness.

Executive Summary:

Ms. Johnson has been the director of Keep Gastonia Beautiful for more than 10 years and affiliated with the program for approximately 20 years. During her tenure this organization has created environmental programs for all age school children. Created props such as “Twiggy the Talking Tree” and “Louie the Litterbug” to spread the word regarding protecting our environment and sustaining our forest. She has organized many community events that include neighborhood clean-up’s, removal of litter and debris in streams, waterways and streets, downtown event for Christmas that includes environmental awareness and sponsors “yard of the week” for Spring and Fall. These activities as well as many other beautification, education and awareness programs have accumulated more than one-million hours of volunteer service over the past year within our community. She initiated two programs to enhance community involvement in order to plant and protect more of our natural resources. The “Evergreen Program” is in conjunction with City of Gastonia Electric Department and Electricities and this enables citizens to purchase mature trees at cost or below to plant in their yards as well as allows the electric utility to replace trees that must be removed as a result of utility protection. Also the “Tree Tribute” is a program where one can donate in honor or in memory of an individual or organization and in return that money is used to plant a tree in a public place in Gastonia as well as a certificate of memory and appreciation is mailed to the family. Other sustainable programs include “rot and roll” which is a hands-on project with earthworms for third-graders on importance of composting; “Michael Recycles” which places a book on recycling in every school library; and “black gold and mulch” which recycles all the grass clippings, leaves and tree pieces place on curbside by city residents into reusable, highly sought after, compost & mulch. These items are sold back to individuals and create a revenue source to purchase trees, install additional beautification areas within the City and sustain education programs. She has been instrumental in the City of Gastonia being awarded “Tree City” for the seventh consecutive year. These are only a few of the programs in which Ms. Johnson has either created or improved. It is an understatement to use words to explain and meter the amount of education and understanding for preserving our environment she has spread throughout the community of Gastonia, North Carolina.

What specific results have been achieved?

In he past year over 328 trees have been planted; 116,278 volunteers have given more than one-million hours of volunteer time; distributed 44 trees and 20,000 flower bulbs to Gaston County Schools; 4,285 earth bracelets were made by school children to explain the environment; partnered with Gastonia Transit for “Don’t Pay It’s Earth Day:” which allowed all citizens to ride the bus for free; Recycled 118 cell phones to wipe our wireless waste; hosted a rain barrel sale for the citizens; and placed recycle bins in all city offices for every employee to take advantage of recycling paper, plastic, and aluminum cans. Collected and recycled 27, 966 phone books; taught a summer environmental program to English as a second language students; and, implemented a downtown Friday farmers market for the citizens were fruits, vegetables and home goods are sold.

In what ways are the efforts of this organization/individual unique and innovative?

Ms. Johnson is able to view the world through the eyes of an environmentalist. This unique ability affords her the vision to seize opportunities that others do not value as important or pertinent. The number of programs that she administers through this small non-profit has reached every student in the Gaston County School system, both public and private, for more than 20 years. Her commitment continues to mold their behavior in such as manner that the generation we have today in our community has become environmentally conscience of their surroundings. This is evident by the number of people who continue to volunteer their time, manpower and money to accomplish the goals and objectives of “Keep Gastonia Beautiful”.

How has the broader community been impacted?

Ms. Johnson continues to impact the State of North Carolina and the Nation. Being an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful her programs and initiatives have been the showpieces of this organization in such as way that many communities have copied and modified her programs to become their own. She is truly the “flag waver” for grass roots, community-minded, environmental focused individuals to have a cause and to find a niche in which to share their talents and abilities with others. Ms Johnson has and continues to make the difference in our community.