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MILLERCOORS AND RIVER NETWORK ANNOUNCE GRANTS TO WATERSHED

CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS

Third annual MillerCoors– River Network grant competition concludes with more than 20,000 votes cast 

CHICAGO (March 28, 2011) – MillerCoors and River Network, a national non-profit focused on water

quality, today announced the recipients of more than $50,000 in grants to be used toward watershed

protection and quality. The winning organizations were chosen by the public through an online voting

competition in which more than 20,000 people cast votes for one of six local non-profits over a one month

voting period.

As part of MillerCoors total donation of $80,000 to River Network, the brewer and national organization

partnered to bring the third annual MillerCoors– River Network grant competition to the ballot box. North

Carolina Big Sweep of Zebulon, North Carolina, received the most votes, with more than 5,000, and willbe awarded the largest grant of $30,000. Big Sweep will allocate the funds toward a statewide cleanup

effort and also to implement a litter awareness campaign to help improve water quality in all 100 counties

in North Carolina.

“As a company that relies on clean, quality water to brew our beer s, protecting our local watersheds is a

top priority for MillerCoors,” said Kim Marotta, vice president of corporate social responsibility at

MillerCoors. “We’re proud to provide grants to organizations across the country whose missions align

with our beliefs and our responsibilities.”

Drawing the second most votes, Johnson Creek Watershed Council of Milwaukie, Oregon, will receive$10,000 and the third place vote-recipient, River Revitalization Foundation  of Milwaukee, Wisconsin,

will receive $5,000. The three remaining finalists will each receive $3,000.

“To achieve a healthy water future, local organizations must have the capacity to protect and restore our

rivers and watersheds,” said Todd Ambs, River Network President. “Thanks to the support and leadership

from MillerCoors, thousands of people around the country are actively engaged with  projects that will

have long-term benefits for water resources in their community and state.” 

MillerCoors and River Network will continue to work with the winning organizations throughout the year

to execute the projects. More information on MillerCoors commitment to sustainable development and

water stewardship can be found on GreatBeerGreatResponsibility.com. You can also read more about the

organizations at RiverNetwork.org. 

Details on the six organizations follow:

1st Place, $30,000 Grant:

North Carolina Big Sweep; Zebulon, NC 

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 The organization will coordinate a statewide cleanup and implement a litter awareness campaign to help

improve water quality in all 100 counties in North Carolina.

2nd Place, $10,000 Grant:

Johnson Creek Watershed Council; Milwaukie, OR

The Council will restore six acres of riverfront forest land with native plantings and a trail overlooking thearea. In addition, 16 newly-engineered log jams will provide cover for threatened salmon throughout a

quarter-mile reach of Johnson Creek, where it flows into the Willamette River.

3rd Place, $5,000 Grant:

River Revitalization Foundation; Milwaukee, WI 

The organization will dedicate funds to restore major habitat on a 2.8 acre riverfront parcel. This project

will reduce storm water run-off, improve habitat for wildlife and serve as primary entrance for recreation

in the Milwaukee river valley.

Remaining $3,000 Grants (for general organization support):

Friends of the Chicago River ; Chicago, IL

The group will form a new program, Chicago River Eco-Warriors (CREW), to increase the number of 

river volunteers, expand the efforts of those already engaged and provide a forum for advancement.

Volunteer participation will also be tracked across all of the organization’s programs and activities, and

volunteers will be awarded as they acquire hours and become “multipliers” of the mission. 

West Atlanta Watershed Alliance; Atlanta, GA

This group will educate and engage low-to-moderate income West Atlanta residents in water efficiency

and conservation. The goal is to help residents realize needed savings for their households and learn about

residential rainwater capture, conservation, green infrastructure, stream monitoring, cleanups and streambank stabilization.

Savannah Riverkeeper, Inc; Augusta, GA

The group will restore 15-acres along the Savannah River in downtown Augusta. The goal is to remove

debris and rehabilitate the shoreline of an abandoned car parts facility along the river. The area will be

converted to a nature education center and international disc golf course.

About MillerCoors

MillerCoors brews, markets and sells the MillerCoors portfolio of brands in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Built on a foundation of great beer brands and nearly 300 years of brewing heritage, MillerCoors continues the commitment of its founders to brew the

highest quality beers. MillerCoors is the second-largest beer company in America, capturing nearly 30 percent of U.S. beersales. Led by two of the best-selling beers in the industry, MillerCoors has a broad portfolio of highly complementary brandsacross every major industry segment. Miller Lite is the great-tasting beer that established the American light beer category in1975, and Coors Light is the brand that introduced consumers to Rocky Mountain cold refreshment. MillerCoors brewspremium beers Coors Banquet and Miller Genuine Draft, and economy brands Miller High Life and Keystone Light. Thecompany also offers innovative products such as MGD 64, Miller Chill and Sparks. Through MillerCoors new craft andimport company, Tenth and Blake, imports Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Pilsner Urquell, Grolsch and Molson Canadian and featurescraft brews from the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, Blue Moon Brewing Company and the Blitz-Weinhard BrewingCompany. MillerCoors operates eight major breweries in the U.S., as well as the Leinenkugel’s craft brewery in Chippewa

Falls, Wisconsin, and two microbreweries, the 10th Street Brewery in Milwaukee and the Blue Moon Brewing Company atCoors Field in Denver. MillerCoors vision is to create the best beer company in America by driving profitable industry

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 growth. MillerCoors insists on building its brands the right way through brewing quality, responsible marketing andenvironmental and community impact. MillerCoors is a joint venture of SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company. 

About River Network Since 1988, River Network has provided leadership, support and coordination for people working to protect and restore healthyrivers, lakes, streams and bays at the local, state and regional levels. In addition, River Network serves as a catalyst andcoordinator for major projects, such as this one, that require national leadership and collaboration among widely separated

organizations. With more than 650 partner groups in all 50 states, River Network is helping build a powerful new waterprotection movement in the United States. To learn more about River Network, visit www.rivernetwork.org. 

# # #

Media contacts:

Allie Cowan Matt Burke

MillerCoors River Network 

312.377.4129 503.542.8383

acowan@digcommunications.com  MBurke@rivernetwork.org