More than 300 Georgians attended the 30th Annual Keep Georgia Beautiful Awards Luncheon on Thursday, October 23, 2008 at the Fox Theatre. The annual program honored individuals and organizations working to improve Georgia’s environment.

“Today’s program celebrates and recognizes the cooperation and efforts of Georgia communities as they meet the challenges of environmental preservation and beautification,” said Mike Beatty, Commissioner of Georgia’s Department of Community Affairs (DCA). DCA houses the state’s Keep Georgia Beautiful program.

The annual Keep Georgia Beautiful (KGB) Awards Luncheon honors individuals, organizations, and companies statewide, whose ongoing efforts prevent litter, conserve or protect water resources, reduce waste or preserve Georgia’s natural beauty and environment.

Thirty Years And Counting – Getting Better Every Day, In Every Way

“As we celebrate 30 historic years, we are also simultaneously recognizing the successful collaboration of our public and private stakeholders, citizen volunteers and local governments. Together, we’ve accomplished a lot. Since its inception in 1978, Georgia’s affiliate network has grown into one of the nation’s largest. We’ve secured and maintained private and public support for KGB’s major programs. These efforts have served to educate and encourage Georgia citizens to take an active role in keeping our state clean,” said Lynn Cobb, KGB’s Executive Director.

“Three decades of focusing our efforts on environmental quality of life issues has allowed KGB to have a significant statewide impact. As we plan for the next 30 years and beyond, we are excited about our existing programs and our newest efforts, including our newly launched branding campaign and specialty license tags. Most importantly, we look forward to working with all Georgians to keep our state clean and beautiful,” added Cobb.

KGB’s major programs includeBring One For The Chipper; Great American Cleanup; Litter! It Costs You; America Recycles Day; Rivers Alive

andWinning Water Festival.

Additional information about KGB’s branding campaign and new specialty plates is available atwww.keepgeorgiabeautiful.com

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KGB Programs Receive Continued support from Sponsors and Board

The positive work of Keep Georgia Beautiful’s diverse programs attracted the support of 26 Foundation sponsors.Diamond Sponsors

included Affairs to Remember Caterers, the Coca-Cola Company, Coca-Cola Enterprises and the Georgia Beverage Association. GA Communications was recognized as aPremiere Level Sponsor.

The American Beverage Association, American Chemistry Council, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Georgia Beer Wholesalers, Georgia EMC, Georgia Power, Georgia-Pacific Foundation, MillerCoors, PepsiCo, Inc., R.W. Beck and SP Recycling were recognized asLeader Sponsors.

Sustainer Sponsors

included Allied Waste Industries, Inc., Caraustar, Dart Container, Publix, RecycleBank and State of Georgia Employees – Charitable Giving Program.Supporting Sponsors

included APCO, Georgia Association of Convenience Stores, MeadWestvaco, MEAG Power and Waste Management.

“Special thanks are extended to our KGB Foundation Board for their energy, involvement, and support. Their commitment to public service is key to the continued success of KGB’s statewide efforts. Together, we’re making a difference in Georgia,” said Randy Hartmann, DCA’s Environmental Programs Director.

KGB Foundation Board Members include Kevin Perry (Georgia Beverage Association), Mike Martinez (Dart Container Corporation), Leamon Scott (Department of Community Affairs), Lisa White (SP Recycling Corporation), April Crow (Coca-Cola Company), Stacee Farrell (Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful), Markell Heilbron (Georgia Power), Rochelle Marte (MillerCoors), Michele McKillip (Coca-Cola Enterprises), Karen Pope (Pope Consulting), Michael Power (American Chemistry Council), Allen Richardson (Georgia-Pacific), Roy Robinson (The R.B. Robinson Company, LLC), Gary R. Sheehan, Jr. (Kilpatrick Stockton LLP), Jim Tudor ( Georgia Association of Convenience Stores), Bill Verner (Georgia Electric Membership Corporation) and Connie Waller (Keep Covington/Newton Beautiful).

Both KGB Foundation Board Members and sponsors were recognized during the event.

Volunteers Keep KGB Programs Fueled

“Keep Georgia Beautiful affiliates and volunteers embody the spirit of teamwork that improves the places where Georgians live. We are especially proud to be home to 76 Keep Georgia Beautiful affiliates, more than any other state. Through our strong affiliate network, committed volunteers and staff, KGB’s programs impact more than 76% of our state’s citizens,” said DCA Commissioner Beatty.

Added Beatty: “We are pleased to honor those individuals and organizations that have gone above and beyond. Georgia is fortunate to have such a dedicated and results-driven volunteer corps. Their efforts go a long way in keeping our state beautiful.”

Keep Georgia Beautiful recognized individuals and organizations in four major categories: Litter Prevention, Community Improvement, Waste Reduction and Environmental Improvement. Six individual achievement awards were also given for Man of The Year, Woman of the Year, Public Works Employee of the Year, Code Enforcement Official of the Year, Student of the Year and Executive Director of the Year.

A complete listing of the awards is included at the end of this news release.

About Keep Georgia Beautiful — Created in 1978 by Governor George Busbee, Keep Georgia Beautiful (KGB), became the first state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. Housed in the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, its unique structure as a public-private partnership allows KGB to benefit from the resources of citizens in government, corporations, and community organizations. These connections aid us in our mission to build and sustain community environmental activities and behaviors resulting in a more beautiful Georgia. KGB coordinates a number of environmental efforts, including the Great American Cleanup™ and the statewide Bring One for the Chipper Christmas tree recycling program.

The Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation, Inc. was created in 1985 to promote private sector financial support for worthwhile educational programs that enhance the environment and the quality of life in Georgia. The Foundation is based on a fundamental premise that the environmental interests of the state of Georgia and the people who live here are best served when public and private interests work hand-in-hand to achieve common goals. For more information about KGB or the KGB Foundation, please visit www.keepgeorgiabeautiful.org or call the KGB Office at (404) 679-4910.

TheGeorgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA)

was created in 1977 to serve as an advocate for local governments. As outlined in its mission statement, DCA seeks opportunities that support "partnering with communities to help create a climate of success for Georgia's families and businesses.

" DCA operates a host of state and federal grant programs; serves as the state's lead agency in housing finance and development; promulgates building codes to be adopted by local governments; provides comprehensive planning, technical and research assistance to local governments; and serves as the lead agency for the state's solid waste reduction efforts. For more information about DCA, please visitwww.dca.state.ga.us

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Litter Prevention — Recognizes educational and remedial efforts designed to change attitudes and behaviors, resulting in a positive impact on a community. Efforts may include litter cleanups, enforcement of litter/illegal dumping laws, placing garbage cans in needed areas, signage, storm drain stenciling, classroom education and presentations to civic/community groups.

Non-Profit/ Civic Group: Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful

Business: Henry County Chamber

Community Improvement — Recognizes efforts to preserve and improve the beauty of a community. Efforts may include outdoor classrooms, enhancement of areas, replanting and restoration of areas and maintenance of existing areas.

Non-Profit/ Civic Group: Sylvester Cemetery Foundation, Atlanta

School/ Youth Group: Lamar County Extension

Government Agency: Keep Cobb Beautiful

Business: Leadership Henry Class 2008

Waste Reduction — Recognizes the efforts of organizations that provide environmental education or other conservation messages to change attitudes and promote responsible waste handling. Efforts may include source or waste reduction, recycling, composting.

Non-Profit/ Civic Group: Keep Cobb Beautiful, Zoo Atlanta Green Team
Youth Group: The Montessori School, Covington

Government Agency: City of Snellville

Business/ Professional Organization: Pull-A-Part LLC, Atlanta

Environmental Stewardship Awards — Recognizes the efforts of individuals and organizations that have had a significant impact on their community or company’s environment.

Government Agency: P2AD Sustainable Office Toolkit

Business: Anheuser-Busch Inc. Georgia, Cartersville

Keep America Beautiful (KAB) System Award — Any Keep America Beautiful certified affiliate in good standing with KAB is eligible to apply. “Good Standing” requires that your network service fee be paid in full as well as timely submission of the 2007 Semi-Annual and Annual Report forms to KAB. This awards application covers program activities for the 12-month period through June 30, 2007.

The Public Works Employee of the Year Award — This award honors an individual who is directly employed in the solid waste or public works department of a city or county and has shown ongoing dedication to his or her job.

Public Works Employee of the Year — William C.G. Malone, DeKalb County

The Code Enforcement Official of the Year Award – This award honors an individual who is directly employed as a code enforcement official and has shown ongoing dedication to his or her job.

Code Enforcement Official of the Year — Nancy Serrand, Canton

The Student of the Year Award — This award honors a student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and dedication in raising awareness about solid waste issues, litter prevention, and/or the need for their peers to participate in activities that preserve and enhance natural resources and public lands.

Student of the Year — Ryan Skeen, Rome

The Woman of the Year “Carolyn Crayton Award” — This award honors an outstanding woman who has demonstrated lifelong leadership in raising public awareness about solid waste issues, litter prevention and/or the need for citizens to participate in activities that preserve and enhance natural resources and public lands. This award is given to a volunteer or an employee who excels beyond her normal job description.

Woman of the Year — Mrs. R.R. Harris, Atlanta

The Man of the Year “Steve Reynolds Award” – This award honors an outstanding man who has demonstrated lifelong leadership in raising public awareness about solid waste issues, litter prevention and/or the need for citizens to participate in activities that preserve and enhance natural resources and public lands. This award is dedicated to a volunteer or an employee who excels beyond his normal job description.

Man on the Year — Steve Levetan

Atlanta Executive Director of the Year “Barbara Mason Award” — The award is named in honor of Barbara Mason, who dedicated her life to preserving the environment and establishing the Keep America Beautiful system in Georgia and the nation. Under her leadership, significant improvements were made in Georgia in the areas of waste reduction, conservation of resources, property maintenance, quality of life and beautification.

Executive Director of the Year — Gwen Baldwin, Keep Cobb Beautiful