On Friday, June 27th, Keep Wakulla County Beautiful hosted its annual Awards Dinner, gathering dedicated volunteers, community partners, and local leaders under this year’s inspiring theme: “Just Imagine.”
The evening was a celebration of those who go above and beyond to protect and enhance the beauty of Wakulla County. Among the special guests were Sherry Carpenter, Executive Director of Keep Florida Beautiful, past KWCB Director JoAnn Palmer, and Hannah Henderson, widow of the late Don Henderson, who served as KWCB President for eight terms and whose legacy lives on through our highest honor.
Award winners recognized this year include:
- Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office — Heart of Service
- Kristina Peeples — Community Pride
- Wakulla Road & Bridge — Green Alliance
- Friends of Wakulla Springs — Preservation Excellence for their recent renovations to the historic Wakulla Springs Lodge
- Wakulla County Garden Club — Community Roots
- Wakulla 4-H — Eco-Education
- Panacea Waterfronts — Eco-Friendly Business
- Amanda Gruebel — Golden Vest Volunteer of the Year
- Caden Gruebel — Green Trailblazer
- Eliana Howard — Green Spark
- Erica Morse — Don Henderson Award
- FSU Wakulla Springs Lab/ Kellie Keys– Waste Wise
- Cal Jamison– Eco Excellence
The evening also featured engaging presentations from honorees Cal Jamison and Kellie Keys. Cal Jamison shared his work on the removal of a vehicle from a spring within the Wakulla Springs water karst system, highlighting the direct impact such efforts have on local water quality. Kellie Keys gave an informative presentation on the growing concern of microplastics and their effects on our environment and health.
Guests enjoyed live music by Chris Perry and Bella Perry, who not only performed but was also recognized as this year’s KWCB Scholarship recipient.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended, volunteered, spoke, performed, and supported this special event. Together, we continue to imagine — and build — a cleaner, greener Wakulla County for generations to come.
