The quarterly Win-dex Awards, which honor attractive businesses throughout our county, are one of my favorite programs at Keep Liberty Beautiful.
Sometimes I think it is easy to focus on the negatives around us and take the many good things in our community for granted.
There are so many businesses that make an effort every day to maintain a clean and inviting appearance.
We thank all of the business owners and managers who do that. They have a great vision for how our whole community should look.
The Liberty County Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with KLB, sponsors the Win-dex Awards.
Each quarter, we select two winners — a large business and a small business. So don’t think that a small “mom-and-pop” operation doesn’t have a chance.
Every business — no matter its size or budget — can keep a neat exterior or storefront appearance while making sure they have an attractive landscape.
Many types of businesses have been recognized in the past few years — offices, retail stores, auto services, car dealerships, schools and hotels.
It really does not matter what kind of business it is, as long as it is litter-free and attractive.
So take a look around and consider the following as you choose a business to nominate:
• Is the exterior clean and litter-free? Now, of course, that’s part of the criteria.
• Is the landscape well-maintained?
• Is the building’s exterior attractive and not in need of repair?
• Is the frontage property mowed and litter-free? Is the sidewalk and parking area clean and well-maintained? Is this area free of cigarette butts?
• Are their attractive plantings around the exterior?
• Has the business recently upgraded or renovated? This could be a simple paint job to spruce things up, a full-scale renovation or a new building.
• Is the entryway inviting?
• An additional point that could be considered: Is the business owner a good citizen who works to maintain the roadway or frontage property by keeping it attractive and litter-free?
When the judging is close, we also consider if the business has been active in community-cleanup efforts.
I guess it is all about attention to detail. Look for some worthy businesses and nominate them from March 1-31. They deserve it, so thank them for their efforts.
Nomination forms are available at the Keep Liberty Beautiful office at 9397 Oglethorpe Highway in Midway or at the Chamber of Commerce office at 425 W. Oglethorpe Highway in Hinesville.
You can also e-mail us for a form at klcb@libertycountyga.com. Or just e-mail your nomination directly by including all of the information requested on the form.
Remember that your reason for nominating a business is a crucial part of the judging, so make sure you fully explain why a business is deserving of this recognition.
Your vote counts! I’ll be looking for your nomination by March 31.
Here are some upcoming events:
Great American Cleanup dates confirmed so far:
• Neighborhood/community cleanups: March 26 and April 16
• Local city cleanups: March 26, April 16 and April 30
• City of Hinesville: April 23
• Campus cleanups: May 1-14
Read Across Liberty Day, a community reading day in local schools, is April 8.
Liberty County’s annual Earth Day celebration will be from 3-7 p.m. Friday, April 22, at the Liberty County Performing Arts Center.
Environmental education will be cleverly disguised as games, arts and crafts, exhibits and entertainment. Volunteers are needed to host activities.
There will be a volunteer-appreciation event from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at the old Mills House in Hinesville.
Joining in these efforts is one significant way to demonstrate your pride for our community.
For information on any of these spring events, call KLB at 880-4888 or e-mail klcb@libertycountyga.com.