Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Keep Virginia Beautiful, a nonprofit that works with state agencies to end littering and improve recycling, has reimagined its annual Shiver in the River fundraiser in light of COVID-19.

Traditionally, the wintertime event has included three challenges: a community cleanup, 5K run/walk and jump into the James River, all of which take place in the Richmond area. In light of COVID-19’s continued presence, the nonprofit has rebranded the event Shiver in Virginia this year, offering a range of activities and incentives for Virginians across the state to participate while remaining in their local communities.

The event will run through March 31.

“We’re taking Shiver in the River statewide this year,” said Mike Baum, executive director of Keep Virginia Beautiful. “We want people to be proud of their communities and the challenge is all about getting outside and making a difference — and influencing others to do the same, at a safe social distance.”

To participate, Virginians need only visit keepvirginiabeautiful.org/events/shiver-in-virginia-2021 and click the “donate/join our mission” button. For a small donation of $20.21, participants will receive a Virginia State Parks parking pass with no expiration date, and gain access to the KVB Mission Challenge website — where they can document their “beautiful acts” such as local litter cleanups, recycling and graffiti removal. With each act reported, participants will be entered into drawings for additional prizes.

KVB is asking participants to share photos of their cleanup efforts not only on the Mission Challenge website but also on social media, using the hashtag #shiverinvirginia.