Five local organizations earn awards from Keep the Midlands Beautiful

Keep the Midlands Beautiful, a local nonprofit that works to reduce litter, improve recycling, enhance beautification and  provide environmental education across Lexington and Richland Counties, is proud to announce their 2026 award recipients. These organizations have all demonstrated a commitment to environmental stewardship and an effort to  make our community safer, cleaner, and more attractive for everyone to live, work, and play. 

Brittons of Columbia, a local clothing store, and owners Stacy Levinson and Perry Lancaster, are receiving the Lifetime  Achievement Award for donating over $1,000,000 to non-profits and for holding three fundraising events for Keep the  Midlands Beautiful in the past 18 months. 

Leadership Lexington County is being recognized as the Philanthropist of the Year for their many years of support provided for local non-profits, both financial and physical, and for the selection of Keep the Midlands Beautiful by this  year’s class as the nonprofit organization to support in 2026. 

Dominion Energy is being recognized as the Corporate Supporter of the Year for their continued financial support and  partnership with the Keep the Midlands Beautiful Adopt-A-Waterway program and annual Lake Sweep / River Sweep  event. 

Nucor Buildings Group SC is being recognized as the Volunteer Corporation of the Year for their many years of  participation in the Adopt-A-Highway program, collection of gently used shoes for the spring fundraiser, donation of  trees for the Green Step Schools program, and financial support. 

Wingard’s Market, and owners Wally and Delores Steinhauser, are receiving the Beautification Award for the contribution they make to beautifying our community every day and for educating others about how to create beautiful  spaces. 

The award recipients will be recognized at a private luncheon for guests of Keep the Midlands Beautiful on October 15,  2026. To learn more about how Keep the Midlands Beautiful serves the community, to volunteer, to sponsor a program,  event, or to donate, go to kmbsc.org, call 803-733-1139 or email [email protected].  

About Keep the Midlands Beautiful

Keep the Midlands Beautiful, a nonprofit organization established in 1989, serves both Lexington and Richland counties.  Our mission is to educate, inspire, and empower citizens to improve the places where they live, work, and play through  litter prevention, recycling, and beautification. We manage eight litter prevention programs and five recycling programs,  we provide environmental education, and we coordinate at least one large-scale beautification project each year. We are  a small organization making a big difference in the community with the help of over 6,500 dedicated volunteers each year.