Pennsylvania American Water announced Monday voting is now open in its Environmental, Community Investment Grant Challenge contest that lets Facebook users determine grant awards to support environmental projects and community improvement programs.

Seventeen participating organizations submitted entries, with each eligible project taking place in Pennsylvania American Water’s services area in 2014.

The entries fall into four categories:  Water and the Environment, Water and Healthy Living, Environmental Education or Community Sustainability.

The top three projects receiving the most votes on the company’s Facebook contest page will receive awards of $1,000 (first-place), $700 (second-place) and $300 (third place).

Facebook users can cast their vote for one of the following projects:

— Allegheny Land Trust - Dead Man's Hollow Conservation Area Master Trail Plan;

— Brandywine Health Foundation - 2014 Brandywine Trek;

— Coatesville Area Arts Alliance, Inc. - Around the Rock Run Reservoir;

— Derry Township Environmental Action Committee – Rain Barrel Workshop;

— Greater Norristown PAL – Community Winter Garden;

— Lackawanna County Conservation District – Protecting Leggets Creek;

— Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority/Heritage Valley Partners - A Gathering Place at the River;

— Lawrence County Conservation District – Rain barrels for New Castle;

— Mt. Lebanon Environmental Sustainability Board – Energy Camels;

— The Outdoor Classroom – Rainbows to Raindrops: Water Education for All Ages;

— Paddle Without Pollution - 2014 Watershed Stewardship Campaign;

— Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators - Living in Your Watershed;

— Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited - Trout in the Classroom;

— Southeastern Pennsylvania Resource Conservation & Development Council – Re-greening of the Delaware Valley: Conservation Planting Trailer;

— Tri-County CleanWays - Electronics Recycling Program;

— The University of Scranton - Downtown Planter Spring Planting Project; and

— Yellow Breeches Watershed Association - One 'Sweet' Yard - A Creekalicious Landscape Competition

Visit the Pennsylvania American Water Facebook Contest page, read about the Community Investment Challenge entries and vote for your favorite one. The deadline for voting is December 8.  Awards will be announced in early December. 

11/18/2013