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PRC Celebrates 70th anniversary
Pennsylvania’s oldest environmental non-profit group celebrated 70 years of environmental education and advocacy.

Newtown Square, PA (November 2009) The Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC) hosted a milestone event on November 12, 2009 at the Radisson Hotel Valley Forge in King of Prussia, PA.  This event marked PRC’s 70th anniversary as the Commonwealth’s oldest, grassroots, environmental advocacy organization. 

Attendees and guests were presented with a brief retrospect of PRC’s past accomplishments and highlights of the future of the organization.  Special recognition was given to Covanta Energy, the premier sponsor of the event.  Recognition was also given to various sponsors from across the Commonwealth who have provided continued support to PRC, including Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, The Hershey Company, Pembroke North, Waste Management and Wawa, Inc. to name a few.  Please see PRC’s web site for a complete listing of sponsors and photographs from the event.    

“This event is a testament to the success of our organization over the last 70 years of bringing together the community, various businesses leaders, and our government for one purpose – preserving our state’s natural resources,” said Larry Myers, Executive Director of PRC. 

“Through partnerships with companies like Covanta Energy, we can continue to bring new perspectives and solutions to tackling some of the environmental challenges that we face,” continued Myers. 

PRC was also honored for its continued work as an advocate for Pennsylvania’s environment.  PRC was presented with a “Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition” from Congressman Joseph Sestak.  State Senators Edwin “Ted” Erickson and Andy Dinniman, and the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania presented additional certificates of recognition. 
Steve Cordasco and Joe Besecker, hosts of “The Big Money Show” on WPHT radio, emceed the evening and entertainment was provided by instrumental soloist, Rob Carroll.  A few brief interviews were conducted at the event with past PRC staff and Board members reflecting on achievements and changes over the past seven decades.  Interviewees included Dorothy Hermani (PRC Board member), Patricia Imperato (past Executive Director of PRC), Ruth Becker (PRC’s first Executive Director), Honorable Carol Rubley (former State Representative and PRC Board member) and Joan Batory (former PRC Board President).  Special recognition plaques were presented to PRC’s past presidents, executive directors, and the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania.  The GCFP is recognized as one of the founders of PRC.     

PRC’s Annual Awards Dinner traditionally brings together more than 200 business, government, and community leaders from throughout Pennsylvania.  For 70 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 the Commonwealth’s oldest, grassroots, non-profit environmental advocacy organization.  PRC seeks to bring multiple stakeholders (including many of the local and state-level legislative representatives) together through education and events to work through environmental issues, such as litter control, recycling, alternative energy, and sustainable living.  The organization’s headquarters is located in Ridley Creek State Park, Delaware County, with a regional office in Pittsburgh and satellite operations in the Harrisburg-Lancaster-York region.  For additional information, please visit www.prc.org.

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Diamond Sponsor
Covanta Energy

Platinum Sponsors
Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLP
Glottech-USA, LLC
The Hershey Company
Pembroke North

Gold Sponsors
AAA
Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, PC
Exelon Corporation
Waste Management
Wawa, Inc.

Silver Sponsors
AbitibiBowater
Advanced Enviro Systems
Allied Waste
Aqua PA
Atlantic Richfield-BP
Eckert Seamans
ERM
Nova Chemical
PA Beverage Association
Pennoni Associates
RT Environmental
W. J. Green & Associates

Reception Sponsors
The Hankin Group
Steel Recycling Institute

Silent Auction Sponsors

AAA
American Country Sampler
American Eagle Outfitters
Walter Burlack
Mario Cimino
Citizens Bank
Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation
Conservation Consultants, Inc.
Exelon Power
The Hershey Company
Robert Jondreau
Mall at Robinson
Paige Morrison
Pennsylvania American Water
Pittsburgh Penguins
Radisson Hotel Valley Forge
Reclamere
Republic Services
Senator Arlen Specter
Steel City Harley Davidson
Sun and Earth Inc.
Waste Management
WAWA, Inc.

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Mr. Bill Walsh of Congressman Joe Sestak's office (second from left) presents PRC’s Board President, Bob Jondreau (left) and Larry Myers, PRC Executive Director, with a "Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition".  Joining them is PRC’s Litterbug mascot.	Gift of mounted Litterbug bobblehead is presented to Covanta Energy as the event’s premier sponsor.  Receiving gift for Covanta is Jim Clecko VP, Regional Business Management, second from left.
Special recognition plaques were presented to a number of environmental leaders by Bob Jondreau, PRC Board President (far left) and Larry Myers, PRC Executive Director (far right)  Pictured receiving the awards L-R are Honorable Carol Rubley, former State Representative and PRC Board member, Dorothy Hermani, PRC Board member, Lynda Southerling, Garden Club Federation of PA, and Pat Imperato, former PRC Executive Director.	The Garden Club Federation of PA presents certificate of recognition to PRC.  Pictured L-R: Bob Jondreau, PRC Board President, Dorothy Hermani, PRC Board member, Lynda Southerling, Garden Club Federation of PA, and Larry Myers, PRC Executive Director.
Martin Indars presents certificate of recognition on behalf of Senators Ted Erickson and Andy Dinniman.	Steve Cordasco, host of “The Big Money Show” on WPHT radio, emceed the event
Rob Carroll, instrumental soloist provided entertainment during the reception	Monica Buffington, PRC Board member and 2009 Dinner Chair, welcomes guests to the event.
Rep. Greg Vitali (right) meets with guests during reception	Dinner guests enjoyed networking opportunities during reception
Dinner guests enjoyed networking opportunities during reception	Dinner guests enjoyed networking opportunities during reception
PRC 70th Anniversary cake
Co-Emcee, Joe Besecker (left), toasts PRC along with Larry Myers, PRC Executive Director, Monica Buffington, PRC Dinner Chair and Bob Jondreau, PRC Board President.