Keep McIntosh Beautiful


"Working Together

for a Clean, Green and

Beautiful McIntosh County"


Newsletter February 2025

You are receiving this newsletter as a KMB member, friend, volunteer or supporter to stay updated on KMB news, events, and volunteer opportunities. THANK YOU! 

Happy Groundhog Day!

 

Whether Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow or not, one thing’s for sure—this Saturday night will be absolutely beautiful for the annual KMB Oyster Roast & BBQ “FRIENDS&FUNDS” RAISER! BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE TODAY! A few will be available at the door, but don’t wait!

 

This incredible evening wouldn’t be possible without our amazing partners—businesses and organizations that truly care about our community and are committed to KMB’s mission of keeping McIntosh County clean, green, and beautiful.

 

A heartfelt THANK YOU to:

Coastal Electric Cooperative

Integrated Energy Systems

Jarriel Lawn LLC

Seaboard Real Estate, Inc.

Darien Downtown Development Authority

Darien Telephone Company

Southeastern Bank

McIntosh County Industrial Development Authority

The Canopy Restaurant & Tabby House Brewing Company

Coastal Tide Excursions, LLC.

Hamilton Place Statesboro Airbnb

McIntosh Seed

Fryer Law Firm

Oaks on the River - Luxury Boutique Resort

Ashley Miles, P.C.

 

Your support makes a real difference—and we can’t wait to celebrate with you all this Saturday! 

WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE RIGHT HERE IN MCINTOSH?

JOIN US! VOLUNTEER! We need YOU!

Love Your Community This Valentine’s Day! 


It’s time for another Pop-Up Pick-Up, and what better way to spread the love than by giving back to our beautiful town?


Join us Friday, February 14th (Valentine’s Day!) at 9 AM under the Darien Waterfront Bridge for a quick but powerful cleanup!


This month’s cleanup leader is KMB Board Member Barbara Hawthorne—thank you, Barbara! She’ll have litter grabbers, gloves, bags...



Let’s show our community some love by making this area cleaner, greener, and more beautiful.


Grab a friend, wear your best Valentine’s red, and let’s make a difference together! Just an hour of your time can have a lasting impact.


 

KEEP MCINTOSH BEAUTIFUL RECEIVES GOVERNOR'S CIRCLE RECOGNITION!


"This award is a reflection of the collective effort of our community and our unwavering belief in the importance of preserving the environment for future generations," said Tracy Sanford, executive director of Keep Mcintosh Beautiful. "Every cleanup event, every educational program, every partnership, strengthens our commitment to making McIntosh County a place we are all proud to call home. Our work isn't just about beautifying our surroundings— it's about fostering a deeper love and respect for the community that we share."


Keep Mcintosh Beautiful recently received a 2024 Governor's Circle Award for its outstanding achievements in community beautification and environmental sustainability. The Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation (KGBF) presented the award in recognition of exemplary performance in litter reduction, waste minimization, and community greening.


"We're committed to creating clean, green, and beautiful communities across Georgia," said Natalie Johnston-Russell, executive director of the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation. "This year's award recipients have gone above and beyond to make that vision a reality, and we're proud to celebrate their incredible efforts."

Small Actions, BIG Impact!


In just one hour, with four dedicated volunteers, we made a real difference! Feb. 1's Pop-Up Pick-Up at Blue N Hall Rd/Hwy 99 resulted in six bags of trash cleared from our community. (Was rescheduled from Jan. 22(


A HUGE thank you to Julie Minors, Susan Fardy, Robin Olsen, and KMB Board Member Julie Sowell for stepping up and showing that every little bit counts!


Imagine what we can accomplish together—one hour, one team, one cleanup at a time. Who’s in for the next one?

LITTER LAW ENFORCEMENT WORKSHOP

This workshop is hosted by Keep Liberty Beautiful, in coordination with Keep Savannah Beautiful, Keep McIntosh Beautiful, Keep Golden Isles Beautiful, City of Tybee Island, Keep Pembroke Beautiful, and Keep Camden Beautiful/Visit Kingsland, and is made possible by a Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation mini-grant.


Attendees will learn how litter enforcement has been used to deter additional crimes and how to work with the court system and others to prevent littering and illegal dumping successfully. Open to all Police Officers, Sheriff’s Deputies, County Commissioners, Mayors, Judges, Code Enforcement Officials, and others charged with enforcing and supporting the law, this workshop will connect officials with resources and information to help them reduce litter and make communities safer.


Scott Carroll will conduct the Litter Law Enforcement Training with 423 Law Enforcement and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. All who attended will receive three hours of POST credit for certified law enforcement officers.


A light breakfast and afternoon lunch will be served. Upon the workshop's completion, a raffle drawing will be conducted for all attendees who registered and attended.

RSVP by scanning the QR code on the flyer or contact Keep Liberty Beautiful.


The generosity of our community is shining through in this year’s Silent Auction for the KMB Oyster Roast & BBQ “FRIENDS&FUNDS” RAISER! We have an incredible lineup of items, including:

 

Artwork of all genres Books & Jewelry SAVANNAH BANANAS TICKETS Boat tours & Guided kayak adventures VACATIONS & Hiking trips Massages, facials, & spray tans Gift certificates galore Custom cutting board & Dock lines PECANS & Local confections Pet grooming & nail trims 4 ROUNDS OF GOLF WITH CARTS SPORTING CLAY ROUND FOR 4 WITH CART Native plants & Gardening goodies Paint & Sip classes Rowing lessons Vehicle detailing & Boat wash kit Anniversary clock Annual GA historic sites pass Discount welding fabrication coupon Photo shoot session Haircuts Birdhouses Pest control services Breakfast buffets T-shirts, hats & tumblers Strategic planning sessions Rod & gun club membership

 

…and so much more! But remember— YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO BID! February 8! Get your tickets TODAY!


We're celebrating Georgia Arbor Day on Sat, Feb 22! It's all about the trees! Partnering with the Georgia Forestry Commission and UGA/4-H McIntosh. Some of GFC's big fire equipment will be on display! 9-11am Eulonia Park. Follow social media for more details!

KMB is working with the Darien McIntosh Chamber of Commerce. Trash detail! Follow social media for more details. With so many visitors coming to attend Blessing weekend, there will be lots of trash. VOLUNTEER after the events each evening with KMB at the Blessing of the Fleet! We'll be ensuring our community waterfront is clean, green and beautiful for the next day's festivities. There are perks... ASK ME! Call Tracy at KMB 912,289,1083.

In The Darien News - What a great article! “A shell of a good time promised at annual Keep McIntosh Beautiful fundraiser” Hot off the presses…


"The goal of this event is twofold," said Tracy Sanford, executive director of Keep McIntosh Beautiful. "It serves as a vital fundraiser to support Keep McIntosh Beautiful's environmental programs and initiatives, while also acting as a friend-raiser. It brings the community together to celebrate our shared commitment to preserving and enhancing McIntosh County. By fostering connections and building awareness, the event strengthens partnerships and inspires collective action for a cleaner, greener future."

Jan. 14 Pop-Up Pick-Up Success!


In just 1 hour and 15 minutes, 11 bags of trash, 6 tires, and various advertisement signs were cleared from a 1-mile stretch along Young Man Rd from Harris Neck to the curve past the first bridge. A lot of the litter seemed to come from boats, buggies, and pickups based on what was found.


Huge thanks to Delta Plantation residents Chris and Carole Kovalchik, Mark and LeeAnn Johnson, and Keep McIntosh Beautiful Board Member Lisa Brewer, who rolled up their sleeves and put in some sweat equity to make a difference.


If we all pitched in like this just once a month, imagine how beautiful our county would be! Let’s get out there, pick up some trash, and enjoy some fresh air and exercise while we’re at it!


Together, we can keep McIntosh beautiful!

GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY! Scan the QR code or buy online!


KMB'S Annual Oyster Roast & BBQ

“FRIENDS&FUNDS” RAISER!

Feb. 8, 2025. 5-8pm.

Beautiful Hudson Creek Lodge!


Our usual delish OYSTERS & CLAMS, with BBQ and all the fixins’!


Multiple check-in points making it easier, faster to get in!

Extended bar so no long lines waiting for drinks!


Joshua and Jason from DEFUNK will entertain us from 5-7pm. MICHAEL HULETT will bring on the last hour 7-8pm!


Shrimp Raffle! You can buy them online too!


Wine/Whiskey Toss!


SILENT AUCTION!

TICKETS

ON

SALE

NOW!

SCAN or BUY from our website!

keepmcintoshbeautiful.com

And the GOOD NEWS keeps on coming...


Keep McIntosh Beautiful Earns Prestigious President’s Circle Status!


We are thrilled to announce that Keep McIntosh Beautiful (KMB) has achieved President’s Circle status for the Keep America Beautiful (KAB) 2024 reporting year!


This national recognition highlights our dedication to keeping McIntosh County clean, green, and beautiful.


This achievement reflects KMB’s unwavering commitment to the mission, values, and vision of Keep America Beautiful, By meeting all annual reporting and program requirements, we continue to uphold our certification within the KAB affiliate national network.


A huge THANK YOU to our incredible volunteers, supporters, and community partners—your hard work and passion make a real difference!


Let’s keep the momentum going in 2025 and make an even greater impact together!


Thanks JGro Fabrication LLC! Jake Gross, his father-in-law Sean Vaughn, and helpful neighbor kiddo Jeffery picked up 22 bags of trash today! Small acts, like picking up litter, create ripples of change that transform a community. Together, we can make our county vibrant, thriving, and a place we’re proud to call home.

Making plans for Earth Day 2025 are in the works! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date. You won't want to miss a thing!

2025

FEBRUARY 8

Our annual OYSTER ROAST/BBQ FUNDS&FRIENDS RAISER is going to be better than ever! There will be multiple check-in points making getting in to party much faster and easier. We'll have DEFUNK entertaining us from 5-7pm this year. And headliner MICHAEL HULETT taking on the last hour!

February 14

Monthly Litter PopUp PickUp! Meet at the Darien Waterfront at 9AM. Led by Board Member Barbara Hawthorne.

FEBRUARY 22

We're celebrating Georgia Arbor Day! It's all about the trees! Partnering with the Georgia Forestry Commission and UGA/4H McIntosh. Some of GFC's big fire equipment will be on display! 9-11am Eulonia Park. Follow social media for more details!

MARCH 22

Community Events to KickOff Greatest American CleanUp. Look for 3 separate activities! We'll be doing something (1) Clean, (2) Green and (3) Beautiful!

APRIL 11, 12 & 13

Opportunities to Volunteer with KMB at the Blessing Of The Fleet!

APRIL 22

We'll be celebrating Earth Day 2025 by planting Pollinator Gardens! Partnering with UGA Extension/4H. Location TBD.

MAY 17

Spring Recycle Event at the McIntosh Middle School. We plan to have paper shredders!

JUNE TBD

KickOff Summer Reading Program at the Ida Hilton Library!


A BIG THANKS TO ALL OF OUR ADOPT-A HIGHWAY, PARK OR SPOT VOLUNTEERS THROUGHOUT MCINTOSH COUNTY! Please send me pictures of your pickups. You'll inspire others! There are still plenty of miles and places needing some TLC. Please consider making this a way you help keep our community clean, green and beautiful!

INFO AND APPLICATIONS ONLINE!

OR CALL TRACY 912-289-1083

ABANDONED BUILDING PROGRAM

Looking for a way to remove an abandoned building or mobile home from your property? Keep McIntosh Beautiful may be able to help.


*Activities should resume as usual. A demo-dispose contractor has been found and we're in the process of vetting. Thank you for your patience!


Dilapidated and abandoned buildings are eyesores that detract from our community’s appearance and reduce the value of the property where they are located. They can also be unsafe and unhealthy nuisances that are locations for criminal activity. 


To address the problem in McIntosh County, KMB offers financial assistance to OWNERS for the demolition and removal of abandoned buildings from THEIR property. We salvage and recycle what can safely be removed.


STRUCTURES MUST BE LOCATED IN MCINTOSH COUNTY, UNOCCUPIED, AND BEYOND REPAIR TO QUALIFY. 


Thank you to the many dedicated partners that help with this program. You are appreciated!


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