1st Place Government Agency Winners:

Currituck County Sheriff's Office (CORP) - Maple, N.C. submitted by David Gatelow CORP utilizes an inmate labor program that results in a visually pleasing appearance to tourist, visitors and the citizens of Maple. CORP generates a monthly landfill tonnage report to Public Works that tracks the success of the program. Their most effective educational tool is the brightly colored and decaled inmate transport van. The public quickly associates the van and collection of orange bags along roadsides with CORP and frequently write thank-you letters to the inmates. The award money will supplement their budget to allow the program to continue. They will purchase vests, protective gear, uniforms and can defray maintenance cost of the van.

Franklin County Beautiful (KFCB) - Louisburg, NC submitted by Ed Shearin In response to a massive street festival planned by the Town of Franklinton, the Franklin County Solid Waste Task Force in partnership with KFCB developed an action plan to prepare the festival area by removing roadside litter and conducting numerous beautification projects. The plan garnered support from the entire town: staff, individuals, civic groups, the faith community, schools, businesses and local and state officials. The number of participants and their commitments to continue in community cleanups was a testament to the project's success. The award money will be used to enhance promotional components such as newsletters, flyers, print and media ads and presentations.

Keep Onslow Beautiful (KOB) - Jacksonville, NC submitted by Kelly Lowery KOB operates a Litter Prevention Outreach Program that offers numerous components for public/private participation such as: Loan-A-Barrel; Environmental Elves; Litter Index; NCDOT Swat-A-Litterbug; Litter Sweep Kits; event planner waste reduction assistance; and litter prevention presentations. They partner with Environmental Enforcement and Solid Waste to promote use of recycling convenience centers to decrease illegal dumping. The award money is targeted for the purchase of illegal dumping signs. A key message will be that the area has been cleaned and is under surveillance. Recycling convenience center signage will communicate hours of operations, contact information and how to dispose of items not accepted at the centers.

1st Place Non-Profit Winner:

Commission for a Clean County (CCC) - Hazelwood , N.C. submitted by JoAnna Swanson CCC, comprised of county commissioners, town mayors, mangers, aldermen and concerned citizens focuses on educating the public on the aesthetic, health and economic benefits of a clean county. Annually, they conduct roadside litter cleanups from May through October in all four towns within Haywood County. They provide supplies and materials used for litter prevention education taught in the county's middle and high schools. They recognize and honor individuals, business, schools, community and civic groups annually at their Community Pride Awards Program luncheon. The award money will replenish supplies and materials needed to ensure the success of the in-school education program. Future goals include the hiring of a part-time education coordinator to expand the scope of outreach.

2st Place Non-Profit Winner:

Keep Gastonia Beautiful (KGB) - Gastonia, N.C. submitted by Isaac Nicholson KGB concentrates on litter abatement programs that result in continued growth and participation. In combination with their age-based school and community programs, they enforce environmentally sound ideas and practices that reduce the need to focus on behavioral changes. To ensure that state curriculum requirements are met, they constantly review and upgrade programs. Concentration of "hands-on" programs enhances media attention brining greater awareness to their campaigns. KGB utilizes an array of city and county departments, agencies and community groups through partnerships that expands their scope of work. The award money will allow them to expand their activities into scout groups, 4-H clubs, home schooled students and other groups not affiliated within the Gaston school system.

1st Place School/Youth Group Winner:

Guilford Preparatory Academy (GPA) - Greensboro, N.C. submitted by Sheresha Rusell GPA is a K-8 public charter school whose students practice the sense of community by "giving back" and participating in quality of life programs. Through their school environmental initiative, they expect a decrease in litter related problems affecting aesthetics, water and air quality, and potential health hazards. Longevity and ownership is achieved by students challenging their parents and others to participate and spread the litter prevention message. They also ask local business owners and community leaders to increase their knowledge base on the benefits and problems litter can cause. GPA plans to purchase materials and supplies to support cleanup projects and may offer incentives to increase participation with the award money.

2st Place School/Youth Group Winner:

None awarded - required criteria were not met.