PRC Holds Annual Environmental Awards Dinner

 “Going for Green: Going for Eco-Friendly Choices” is the theme of the Pennsylvania Resources Council’s (PRC) annual awards and fundraising dinner.   The event, which will honor statewide environmental leaders, will be held November 13, 2008 at the Radisson Hotel Valley Forge in King of Prussia.  The Honorary Dinner Chair this year is Ms. Judy Spires, President of Acme Markets, and the keynote speaker will be Dr. Mark Alan Hughes, Director of Sustainability for the City of Philadelphia.   

PRC has selected Michael DiBerardinis, Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to receive the prestigious Fox-Calhoun Award named after two of PRC’s founders – Hilda Fox and Cynthia Calhoun.  Secretary DiBerardinis is being recognized for his exemplary leadership in natural resource conservation and his efforts in building policy and programs to address global warming and carbon sequestration. 

The Philadelphia Eagles are also being recognized at the event for becoming the most environmentally friendly team in the National Football League.  The team’s “Go Green” slogan encompasses everything from their green jerseys to renewable energy for the stadium and off-setting their carbon footprint when they travel.  Team co-owner, Christina Weiss Lurie, is expected to attend the dinner and accept the award on behalf of the Eagle’s Organization.

In recognition of their achievements, PRC has selected several other environmental leaders from across the Commonwealth to receive awards.  The award winners are Philadelphia Housing Authority for its leadership in the community; Brandywine Conservancy for its leadership in conservation; Wawa, Manko Gold Katcher Fox LLP, NBC 10 for their leadership in environmental education; and, Exelon Fairless Hills WTE Project for its leadership in green energy.  The winners of the leadership in sustainable design and development awards this year will be The Pennsylvania State University and Pembroke North.    

PRC’s Annual Awards Dinner traditionally brings together more than 200 business, government and community leaders from throughout the Commonwealth.  For 69 years, PRC has been working with such leaders to create solutions to environmental challenges and to reach out to the community through its educational and service programs. These programs serve to inform and encourage current and future leaders to take an active role in promoting sustainable living and conserving our natural resources.

Established in 1939 to reduce roadside litter and to fight illegal billboards, PRC is one of the Commonwealth’s oldest, grassroots, environmental organizations.  PRC’s headquarters is in Ridley Creek State Park in suburban Philadelphia.  It also has a regional office in Pittsburgh and has satellite operations in the Harrisburg-Lancaster-York region.  PRC’s programs have expanded to include resource conservation, environmental summer camps, recycling, composting, teacher workshops, watershed and air quality education, and a variety of litter prevention programs.

For information about the dinner, contact Carol Butler at 610-353-1555 ext. 230.  For information about PRC, visit the organization’s website at www.prc.org.