Dr. Karen Bell
Keep Liberty Beautiful
As we look back on 2025 and plan for 2026, Keep Liberty Beautiful (KLB) invites community members to feel appreciated and motivated to stay involved. We want to share how you can participate in upcoming programs and initiatives to strengthen our community support and foster continued engagement in the new year. I don’t usually make New Year’s resolutions, but I do take time to reflect on the past year, on the people, the moments, and the blessings I’m grateful for. Sitting in my favorite “me-time chair by the window,” I look back at the work we’ve done and the incredible people who made it possible.
As the executive director of Keep Liberty Beautiful, I can confidently say 2025 was a fantastic year. I am entering my eighth year working for Liberty County, and I have truly enjoyed every moment. I believe KLB has the right team at the right time. Our office staff, Mrs. Amanda Jeffers and Mrs. Ashley Roberts, are nothing short of amazing. Their creativity, dedication, and enthusiasm bring fresh ideas to life, and I know the Liberty County community enjoys the programs and events they help create.
My heart is filled with gratitude when I think about our volunteers. Over 4,000 local citizens volunteered in 2025, and we invite everyone to continue their involvement in 2026 to keep our community thriving.
We are also incredibly thankful for our recycling collection staff and for the Liberty County residents, schools, and businesses who make recycling a priority. A special thank you goes to Brenda and her small but mighty team. The Recycling Team’s continued support and tireless effort do not go unnoticed, and their commitment helps keep our community moving forward.
KLB is also grateful for the ongoing support from the Liberty County Public Works Department, the Road Department, the Solid Waste staff, and local city employees, including ESG. We sincerely appreciate the continued partnership with our Liberty County commissioners, city officials, and Fort Stewart, which inspires us to keep working together for lasting community impact. Your support motivates us to keep moving forward in 2026.
We extend heartfelt thanks to our friends at The Coastal Courier, the Chamber of Commerce, and our social media followers who help spread the word about our programs. We encourage everyone to stay engaged and share upcoming events to increase awareness and participation in 2026.
Finally, we want to recognize our Keep Liberty Beautiful Advisory Board members. These individuals do far more than guide our programming-they actively contribute their time and effort. Each member dedicates more than 40 volunteer hours annually, with many exceeding that. Their dedication, leadership, and heart are what make our program both successful and enjoyable.
Our 2025-26 Advisory Board members are: Willa Lewis (chairman), Joey Simmons and Mayor Sarah Hayes (executive board members), Marguerite Aker-West, Pearlie Axon, Chantel Boone, Germaine Brown, Curtis Cadwalader, Hakeem Cleare, Carolyn Colon, Lynette Cook-Osborne, Chriscilia Cox, Britta D’Angelo, Nolan Fields, Akimo Dawson, Brittany Foxx, Tymberlee Hill, Constance Jackson, Adrian Jones, Jenelle Gordon, Sierra Guillaume, Anna Joyner, Eric Kunawotor, Larry Logan, Satin Marche, Daphne Moore, Patricia Nash, Nipa Patel, Angela Powell, Desireé Riley, Timothy Scott, Gypsy Tart, Phyllis Tucker, Irmal White, Mea Wilson, Millie Wilson, and Daniel Clark, who recently passed away. He was a dedicated board member who believed in the Keep Liberty Beautiful mission. We look forward to honoring his memory during the Greatest American Cleanup Event in Gum Branch this spring, inspiring community pride and collective effort to keep Liberty County clean, green, and beautiful.
As one year closes and a new one begins, We pause with grateful hearts to reflect on the work we’ve done together.
Through service, stewardship, and simple acts of volunteering, We’ve proven that when a community unites, real change happens.
Here’s to a new year of cleaner spaces, caring hearts, And neighbors working side by side Because together, we don’t just Keep Liberty Beautiful, We make it shine. For more information about Keep Liberty Beautiful, visit www.keeplibertybeautiful. org, call (912) 880-4888, or email klcb@libertycountyga.gov.
From all of us at Keep Liberty Beautiful, we wish you all a Happy New Year!