June 16, 2005
20th Annual NC Beautiful Azalea Celebration Starts Statewide

North Carolina Non-Profits to Receive Thousands of Free Azaleas June 16, 2005, Raleigh, NC– NC Beautiful, a non-profit organization that promotes environmental stewardship, education, and research in North Carolina, is awarding thousands of azaleas to worthy non-profits for outdoor beautification and landscaping projects. “We are excited to continue making North Carolina a wonderful and attractive place to live and work,” says Jane Rogers, managing director of NC Beautiful. “For the past two decades, we have helped worthy non-profit organizations bring color, life and beauty to hundreds of areas throughout North Carolina. This year, we are encouraging every non-profit across the state to apply.” Last year, approximately 150 non-profits statewide received over 10,000 azaleas. Civic organizations, clubs, school groups, churches, and any other non-profits are eligible to apply for up to 100 azaleas. To obtain an application, please send your request, along with a self-addressed and stamped envelope to: 2005 Azalea Celebration, P.O. Box 10155, Raleigh, NC 27605. You may also request an application electronically from ncbeautiful@bellsouth.net. The application must be postmarked on or before September 7, 2005. NC Beautiful partners with Raleigh’s WRAL-TV and Mix 101.5-FM to put on the Azalea Celebration. The azaleas are propagated from the WRAL gardens, which is a project started by one of the founders of the station, the late A.J. Fletcher. NC Beautiful also gives out the A.J. Fletcher Award every year for past azalea recipients that keep their plants alive and healthy over a three year period. Awardees receive up to $500 in cash prizes and additional azaleas for their efforts.