FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 20, 2008
DHEC announces winners of ‘Spare the Air’ awards
COLUMBIA – Individuals, businesses and educational institutions have been honored for their positive impact on South Carolina’s environment with the state Department of Health and Environmental Control’s inaugural “Spare the Air” awards, the agency announced today.
“The nominees for this year’s event have gone above and beyond the call of duty by ‘greening’ their lifestyles and organizations,” said Myra Reece, chief of DHEC's Bureau of Air Quality. “It’s important that we recognize these groups and individuals, who were nominated by their peers, for their leadership and commitment towards helping to protect our environment and improve air quality.”
The winners in each category include:
- Outstanding Air Quality Business/Industry of the Year: Lexington Medical Center for its continued commitment to providing quality health services while improving its environmental footprint.
- Outstanding Air Quality Individual of the Year: Synithia Williams for her constant efforts that directly impact the air quality of Lexington County.
- Outstanding Local Government: Greenville County for its “Improving Air Quality Public Awareness” campaign.
- Outstanding Community Air Quality Improvement Campaign: Lexington County Council and Fire Service Division for passing and implementing an Outdoor Burn Ordinance including the outreach efforts related to outdoor burning.
- Outstanding School Administrator/Faculty of the Year: Glenn Wile for his leadership and participation in the Breathe Better program at Fountain Inn Elementary in Greenville County.
- Outstanding College or University: Furman University for its leadership as one of the Upstate’s key leaders in air quality improvement efforts.
- Outstanding Volunteer of the Year: Tom Falvey for his work with the “Mow Down Pollution” lawn mower exchange.
For more information on the “Spare the Air” awards, call Debra Briggs-Monroe at (803) 898-3752, or e-mail her at: briggsmd@dhec.sc.gov.
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For more information:
Debra Briggs-Monroe – (803) 898-3752
E-mail - briggsmd@dhec.sc.gov
or
Adam Myrick – (803) 898-3884
E-mail – myrickar@dhec.sc.gov
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