Release Date: Tuesday, December 6th 2011

Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership Receives Keep America Beautiful Graffiti Prevention Grant Recognition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 6, 2011

Contact
Brooke Fornalczyk
(412) 325-0161
bfornalczyk@DowntownPittsburgh.com


 

Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership Receives

Keep America Beautiful Graffiti Prevention Grant Recognition

Pittsburgh, PA–The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) is one of eight organizations throughout the United States to receive a Keep America Beautiful, Inc. (KAB) 2011 Graffiti Hurts^®Grant Program Award for its effective graffiti prevention program.  The PDP was one of three organizations to receive a $2,500 Sherwin-Williams paint certificate.  The annual grants were initiated in 2007 to help support grassroots programs that combat graffiti vandalism.

“We are proud to be a Keep America Beautiful, Inc. 2011 Graffiti Hurts® Grant Program award recipient.

We strive to make Downtown Pittsburgh is a clean, safe and welcoming environment to all who live, work and play here”, said Jeremy Waldrup, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership President and CEO. “There is a strong correlation between clean streets and safe streets as low levels of litter, debris, and graffiti generally correlate with a low incidence of serious crime. Our efforts work to combat graffiti in the public right of way while establishing a strong community awareness and synergy among our Downtown residents, workers and student population.  Support from programs like this allow us to provide even better services in Downtown.”

This year’s other award recipients include:

            $2,500 cash grant recipients:

• Casa Grande Police Department – Casa Grande, Ariz.
• Keep Victoria Beautiful – Victoria, Texas
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America of East County – Santee, Calif.
• Keep Manatee Beautiful – Bradenton, Fla.

$2,500 Sherwin –Williams paint supply certificate recipients:

• Downtown Westfield Corporation – Westfield, N.J.
• Downtown Visalians – Visalia, Calif.

Q-Star FlashCAM recipient:

• Tyler Against Graffiti – Tyler, Texas

“This year’s grant recipients presented exceptional plans to educate and engage at-risk youth, and to bring entire communities together to prevent and eradicate graffiti,” said Matthew McKenna, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful. “All of the winners developed programs that help prevent negative impacts to society through behavior change, while creating a sense of ownership for their community. We’re grateful to The Sherwin-Williams Company for its ongoing support of the Graffiti Hurts program, a nationwide resource for addressing graffiti problems.”

Responding to the blight of graffiti vandalism, Graffiti Hurts^®was developed in 1996 through a partnership between Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s largest nonprofit education and community improvement organization, and The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE: SHW), maker of Krylon paint.  According to the U.S. Department of Justice, graffiti contributes to lost revenue associated with reduced ridership on transit systems, reduced retail sales, and declines in the value of surrounding residential and commercial property.

“Sherwin-Williams is proud to sponsor the Graffiti Hurts program, and is dedicated to supporting initiatives that help prevent and eradicate graffiti,” said Harvey Sass, President and General Manager, Diversified Brands Division, The Sherwin-Williams Company. “Graffiti Hurts is effectively addressing this issue nationwide, and we commend the 2011 grant winners for their innovative plans to help stop graffiti in their communities.”

About the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership
The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) is a dynamic, nonprofit organization comprised of business and community leaders, property owners, civic organizations, foundations and residents who provide energy, vision and advocacy for Downtown Pittsburgh. Working collaboratively with its partners, the PDP strives to create a positive Downtown experience for residents, workers and visitors alike. The PDP’s strategic initiatives include clean and safe services, transportation, housing and economic development and advocacy. For the latest Downtown news and information, visit DowntownPittsburgh.com, follow us on Twitter @downtownpittand “like” us on Facebook.

About Keep America Beautiful, Inc. and Graffiti Hurts^®

Keep America Beautiful, Inc., established in 1953, is the nation's largest volunteer-based community action and education organization. With a network of more than 1,200 affiliate and participating organizations, Keep America Beautiful forms public-private partnerships and programs that engage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community environments. For additional information, visit www.kab.org. For more information about Graffiti Hurts^®and its resources to help communities prevent graffiti, visit www.graffitihurts.orgor contact graffitihurts@kab.org.

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