News Release
THE COCA-COLA FOUNDATION AWARDS $300,000 TO RAILS-TO-TRAILS CONSERVANCY
Grant supports a national system of community trails
ATLANTA, September 25, 2008 -
The Coca-Cola Foundation today announced a $300,000 grant to the Rails-to-Trails
Conservancy (RTC) to create a nationwide network of walking and biking
trails using former rail lines that will support more than 1.9 million
people in the Washington DC, Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles and
New Orleans communities.
This grant builds upon previous funding support from the Company,
which expanded trails in numerous other communities, including the
Silver Comet Trail in Georgia and the Chief Ladiga Trail in Alabama.
The Georgia-Alabama trails will be commemorated Saturday, September
27, 2008, when they are joined to become the longest paved trail in
the United States.
"Coca-Cola is committed to helping ensure the vitality of our
communities," said Ingrid Saunders Jones, chair of The Coca-Cola
Foundation. "This grant is an expression of our commitment to
the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's goal of creating trails that place
90 percent of Americans within three miles of a safe and healthy community
trail system."
Through the awarding of the $300,000 grant, the RTC will provide
expertise and pass-through grants to several trail organizations,
specifically:
- Five grants totaling $50,000 for community grants supporting the
operations of trail organizations in Washington, DC; Chicago, New
York City, Los Angeles, and New Orleans;
- Three grants totaling $150,000 for specific rail-to-trail development,
expansion and enhancement projects in Washington, DC (including
the Metropolitan Branch Trail), Chicago and New York City.
- Additionally, $100,000 will support RTC's technical initiative,
which includes the Mapping Initiative and Guidebook Series, which
provides the public with information on the nation's trail systems.
Creating healthier places for healthier people requires the support
of concerned corporate citizens, like Coca-Cola," said Keith
Laughlin, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy president. "We have already
seen great successes with trail connections across the nation and
cannot wait to see what wonderful things this next grant will do for
America's rail-trail network."
In 2005, Coca-Cola donated $500,000 to the RTC to develop and expand
trails across the country, like the Silver Comet and Chief Ladiga
trails. Funding from Coca-Cola helped build the Gateway Park where
the two trails connect at the Georgia-Alabama state line. Coca-Cola
also supported Dasani brand's "Blue Bikes" program that
provided bicycle fleets to local trail organizations so that Americans
could enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle.
Globally, The Coca-Cola Company is a leader in sustainability efforts
in the areas of water stewardship, packaging, energy and climate protection.
As part of its community sustainability and healthy, active lifestyle
initiatives, the Company announced in January 2008 a $2 million donation
to Atlanta's BeltLine Partnership, which -- once completed -- will
connect Atlanta communities by creating greenspace, trails, transit,
and new development along 22 miles of historic rail segments that
encircle the City of Atlanta's urban core. In addition, the Company
has provided $3.5 million in support to the National Parks Foundation
for use in enhancing and maintaining trails in national parks across
the United States.
About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage
company, refreshing consumers with more than 450 sparkling and still
brands. Along with Coca-Cola®, recognized as the
world's most valuable brand, the Company's portfolio includes 12 other
billion dollar brands, including Diet Coke®, Fanta®, Sprite®,
Coca-Cola Zero®, vitaminwater, POWERade®, Minute
Maid® and Georgia® Coffee. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider
of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink
teas and coffees. Through the world's largest beverage distribution
system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages
at a rate of 1.5 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment
to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives
that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic
development of the communities where we operate. For more information
about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca
colacompany.com.
About Rails to Trails
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization with more than
100,000 members, is the nation's largest trails organization dedicated
to connecting people and communities by creating a nationwide network
of public trails, many from former rail lines and connecting corridors.
Founded in 1986, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's national office is
located in Washington, D.C., with regional offices in California,
Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.railstotrails.org.
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