People across the United States will have an opportunity to vote throughout the month of October to help keep Bigfork green.

The Community Foundation for a Better Bigforks' recycling campaign "Big green: Keeping Bigfork clean" has been selected as a finalist for a $20,000 grant from Tom's Toothpaste of Maine. More than a thousand applications were received for the grant in the categories of community, health and environment. CFBB's application, submitted under environment, was one of the 50 the pool was narrowed to for a public vote.

The CFBB grant proposal includes purchasing recycling containers and employing a local recycling pick-up business to service Bigfork.

For the past few years, CFBB has been working to increase recycling in the area.

Since Bigfork does not get support for recycling from the county for curbside pickups, the idea of the project is to take this on within the community, CFBB board member Marissa Keenan said.

If CFBB receives the grant, the money will lay the groundwork for the program through increasing awareness and possibly purchasing solar powered receptacles and trashcans.

"It shows people who come into the town that we keep the town clean," Keenan said.

Keenan has been spearheading recycling efforts for nearly two years.

She said she began looking into the issue when she realized how isolated Bigfork was from recycling opportunities. She started calling recycling businesses in Kalispell.

"They said they had so many people calling them about services (in Bigfork), but no one was taking the next step," Keenan said.

Keenan joined up with CFBB and the organization has been pursuing recycling opportunities including this grant.

Voting for the grant began Sept. 23 and ends Oct. 30. Each person can vote once a day for his or her favorite five projects. People can vote online at www.50statesforgood.com.

"We're begging everyone to vote every day until November," Keenan said.

The five winners will be announced in November. Funds will be distributed by the end of 2009.

For more information about the grantt or to get involved, e-mail Keenan at [email protected].