Myrtle Beach, SC -May 10, 2005 - America Recycles Day, Inc. today awarded its National Grand Prize, a new Ford Escape Hybrid, to Nancy Mawra of Pawleys Island, South Carolina. Mawra's pledge to recycle more was drawn from nearly 200,000 pledges entered in the national drawing during last year's America Recycles campaign, which is celebrated on November 15 of each year.
America Recycles awards prizes such as fuel-efficient cars, bikes composed of recycled content, and in some years, eco-friendly houses to raise awareness of the importance of recycling and buying products made from recycled materials. In 2004, Americans of all ages from all 50 states filled out pledge cards, which were entered into the drawing. The pledge cards, submitted at more than 900 America Recycles events nationwide and via the America Recycles website, ask participants to affirm their commitment to recycling and buying recycled products.
Mawra was encouraged to complete the pledge card by her eight-year-old triplets, Brianna, Jacquelyn, and Alexandra. Her daughters and husband joined Mawra in accepting the keys to the new hybrid SUV during a ceremony today at Beach Ford in Myrtle Beach. Meg Morris, Chairman, America Recycles Day, Inc. (Washington, DC); Kate Krebs, Executive Director, National Recycling Coalition (Washington, DC); and Thomas Niemann, Manager, Environmental Outreach & Strategy, Ford Motor Company (Dearborn, MI), presented the car to the family.
America Recycles events are coordinated throughout South Carolina by the Department of Health and Environmental Control, as well as at the local level through county agencies, such as the Georgetown Department of Public Works. "By actively participating in America Recycles campaigns, South Carolina is doing an excellent job of making its residents aware of the value of recycling and buying recycled products," said Morris.
America Recycles also awarded five Trek bicycles made with recycled aluminum frames to youth who completed pledge cards, including Ally Abbott of Fort Mill, South Carolina. The other four Youth Prize winners are Jenelle Kaminski of Blasdell, New York; Zachary Jahn of Pleasant Ridge, Michigan; Bennie Hyatt of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Joe Gaffney of Meridian, Idaho.
ABOUT AMERICA RECYCLES DAY, INC
America Recycles Day, Inc. is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, which sponsors the annual America Recycles campaign, culminating in an America Recycles celebration on November 15 each year. For many years, America Recycles has been sponsored by Novelis; 100% Recycled Paperboard Alliance; Ford Motor Company; Staples, Inc.; American Beverage Association; Recycle America Alliance; and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The organization is managed by the National Recycling Coalition. For more information, visit www.americarecyclesday.org.
Thomas Niemann, Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan; Holly Storey, America Recycles 2005 Board of Director Member and South Carolina Recycling Manager; Meg Morris, America Recycles 2005 Chairman, Washington DC; join Nancy Mawra, national prize winner and her daughters, along with Kate Krebs, Executive Director of the National Recycling Coalition (Washington, DC) join to celebrate the contest award of the Ford Escape Hybrid SUV.
Sarah Archer (right), AR2004 State Coordinator for Michigan, presents Zach of Pleasant Ridge, MI with his national prize for entering the America Recycles 2004 contest.
Holly Storey (left) AR2004 State Coordinator and national ARD board member, presents Ally of Ft. Mill, SC with her recycled aluminum content bike as the prize for entering the 8th America Recycles Day national contest.