Smart Trips Participants Donate $3,000 to Area Schools

Thanks to the efforts of the Smart Trips Neighborhoods program, its many participants, and a local social network, Belle Morris Elementary School received a $1,000 donation during a celebration held at the school on December 11.

Smart Trips, the regional program that promotes alternatives to driving alone, launched the Neighborhoods initiative earlier this year (www.knoxsmarttrips.org/neighborhoods). The program encourages folks to minimize the number of short trips they would normally take by car. In its first year, the program targeted communities in North Knoxville to participate.

The donations to area schools were made possible through a partnership with the Plus 3 Foundation, a local charitable social network. Each trip made by bicycle, carpool, transit or on foot that was logged by residents from the target areas counted towards Plus 3 donations of up to $1,000 each to three local elementary schools ? Beaumont, Belle Morris and Christenberry.

"To all those who chose to walk, ride a bike or take the bus instead of just hopping in cars for short trips to the bank, the store or to visit friends, there's an added bonus. Not only do participants help our schools, they enjoy the personal health, economic, and air quality benefits that such activities provide," said Kelley Segars, Smart Trips program manager.

In addition to a check presentation ceremony held at Belle Morris, Smart Trips coordinators visited Christenberry to present their donation on November 19, and Beaumont's celebration is scheduled for December 13. Each school received the maximum donation of $1,000.

Smart Trips' mission is to improve air quality and ease traffic congestion. The program rewards participants for choosing green commuting options and works with regional employers to develop customized worksite programs. Smart Trips is funded by a federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant.

Sign up for Smart Trips and get more info at www.knoxsmarttrips.org.