NC Beautiful Announces Recipients of the 2011 Duke Energy Foundation Windows of Opportunity Grants
Grants will subsidize educational programs that promote environmental stewardship, awareness, and appreciation

RALEIGH, NC, February 19, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- NC Beautiful has announced the winners of the 2011 Windows of Opportunity (WOO) Grants from The Duke Energy Foundation. Seven schools were awarded WOO Grants, which were created to cultivate an appreciation of natural environments by helping K-12 children get out of school and into natural settings. The grants also build leadership awareness, develop environmental educational mentors and ambassadors, create materials and resources that can be used by other students, and develop a sustainable outdoor program.

The Duke Energy Foundation improves the quality of life in the communities it serves through volunteer efforts, expertise through leadership, and financial support through grants to charitable organizations. At the core of The Duke Energy Foundation is its commitment to the community, with a focus in three areas: Environment and Energy Efficiency, Economic Development, and Community Vitality. Inclusiveness/diversity and employee/retiree volunteer initiatives are integrated into all three areas of focus.

Stick Williams, SVP of EH&S and president of The Duke Energy Foundation, says that the Foundation has enjoyed a good and long-standing relationship with NC Beautiful and that reaching out to children now about the importance of environmental preservation is a sound investment for the future. "Supporting environmental education in the classroom can excite the minds of many students to explore and pursue future careers in science," says Williams. "The Foundation's contribution to NC Beautiful is an example of how one grant can become a catalyst for many to study and experience environmental education."

NC Beautiful Executive Director, Steve Vacendak, says that the support of The Duke Energy Foundation will help NC Beautiful broaden its reach to empower more citizens to help keep North Carolina beautiful. "This grant serves to reinforce Duke Energy's continued commitment to environmental education in the state of North Carolina," says Vacendak. "We congratulate all of our grant recipients, and want to thank The Duke Energy Foundation for helping us educate a new generation on the importance of preserving our environment and natural resources."

Celeste Morehead, Agriculture Education, of Marvin Ridge High School was one of the WOO Grant recipients. She received word of her award via email and was rendered "speechless". "This is my first grant that I have participated in, and I couldn't be happier", says Morehead.

The following is a list of The Duke Energy Foundation 2011 Windows of Opportunity Grants recipients, including the name of the teacher submitting the winning entry:

• Kathleen Melious, T. Wingate Andrews High School, High Point (Guilford County)
• Jennifer Pegram, The Children's Center, Winston-Salem (Forsyth County)
• Celeste Morehead, Marvin Ridge High School, Waxhaw (Union County)
• Ellen Mace, North Cove Elementary, Marion (McDowell County)
• Linda West, Jefferson Elementary, Winston-Salem (Forsyth County)
• Rose Marie Cook, Greensboro Day School, Greensboro (Guilford County)
• Janet Cain, E. Lawson Brown Middle School, Thomasville (Davidson County)

About NC Beautiful
NC Beautiful has been part of the state's environmental preservation community for 40 years, supporting awareness, education and beautification efforts that affect our quality of life. Today, we concentrate on hands-on and merit-based programs designed to empower our citizens to preserve the natural beauty of the state of North Carolina. Whether it's school children building outdoor classrooms, graduate students developing cutting edge research, or a Boy Scout troop planting azaleas at an elder care facility, we make it possible for North Carolinians to keep NC Beautiful. For more information, visit www.ncbeautiful.org.

Media Contacts
Steve Vacendak, Executive Director
NC Beautiful
(919) 828-3190
svacendak@ncbeautiful.org

Louise Carey, Programs Manager
NC Beautiful
(919) 828-3190
lcarey@ncbeautiful.org

Jason Walls, Communications Manager
Duke Energy
(704) 382-5559
Jason.Walls@duke-energy.com

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