Keep McAllen Beautiful, Keep Texas Beautiful, Gold Star Affiliate, Community Service, Environment, McAllen TX
Staff Report
McAllen TX - Keep McAllen Beautiful has been recognized as a Gold Star Affiliate by Keep Texas Beautiful, the statewide nonprofit’s highest honor for local partners. The designation was announced during the Keep Texas Beautiful Virtual Conference held May 12-14, 2026.
Gold Star status is awarded to affiliates that demonstrate exceptional community leadership through sustained programs, strong partnerships, and meaningful volunteer engagement. To earn the recognition, affiliates must go beyond core requirements by expanding programming, investing in training, documenting impact, and building strong local partnerships.
2025 Impact
In 2025, Keep McAllen Beautiful collected 613 tons of trash, painted two homes, and planted 291 trees and plants with the help of 3,146 volunteers who contributed $254,941 in volunteer hour value. Artists painted 38 standpipes and seven murals throughout the city. The organization also exchanged 2,127 pieces of recyclables for trees and plants to expand the City of McAllen’s tree canopy.
Statewide, Keep Texas Beautiful affiliates engaged more than 100,000 Texans in 2025, contributing more than $4 million in volunteer hour value.
Keep Texas Beautiful Executive Director Sara Walters praised the organization’s local partners. “Our affiliates bring our mission to life every day. We are proud to recognize those who are leading the way as Gold Star Affiliates,” Walters said. “These communities exemplify excellence in community leadership by mobilizing volunteers, advancing meaningful projects, and fostering a culture of care and pride in their communities.”
City Manager Isaac J. Tawil credited the volunteers and community partners behind the recognition. “This recognition is a testament to the passion and dedication of the Keep McAllen Beautiful board, volunteers and community partners who support their mission every day,” Tawil said. “Their commitment to preserving and enhancing the beauty of our city reflects both pride and a spirit of service.”
Keep McAllen Beautiful Program Coordinator Claudia Gutierrez expressed pride in the community response. “We love to see our community coming together to help make the City of McAllen a more beautiful and cleaner place where people can live, visit, and work,” Gutierrez said.
Keep McAllen Beautiful is a nonprofit organization that develops awareness among McAllen residents and visitors about littering and proper waste disposal while promoting the preservation and enhancement of the city’s natural beauty. Keep Texas Beautiful, founded in 1967, reaches 17 million Texans annually through its statewide affiliate network.
Source - Keep McAllen Beautiful and Keep Texas Beautiful