To celebrate 10 years of environmental service in the City of Manhattan Beach, the City awarded Grades of Green with an honorary “Key to the City.” The last key Manhattan Beach presented was to Olympic Gold Medal Winners Misty May Trainer & Kerry Walsh at the Manhattan Beach Open in 2009.
City Council Member Richard Montogomery stated that “they were appreciative and considered it the highest civic honor they would ever want as they both are from the South Bay.” The key was presented to the Grades of Green Founders and Co-Directors at Verte 2012 by Montgomery, who presented the key on behalf of his colleague Mayor Nick Tell who was unable to attend. The City also bestowed the award upon Ranae DeSantis, one of the founding members of Grades of Green’s Board of Directors and its honoree at the Grades of Green fundraiser Verte. Montgomery states the City “rarely gives a ‘key’ to the city unless an individual or organization has performed an exceptional act on behalf of the city and our residents. Grades of Green and Ranae DeSantis exemplify what we consider ‘exceptional service’ in order for them to be awarded a ‘Key to the City.'” Ranae has been instrumental in Grades of Green pursuit to raise environmental awareness among kids. Congratulations Ranae!