The 2004 Azalea Celebration, a program that provides free azalea plants to non-profit organizations in the state, is taking applications. Through the program, non-profit organizations in Bladen County and around the state can get up to $500 free of charge for beautification and landscaping projects.

The program is sponsored by NC Beautiful and is locally provided through Keep Bladen Beautiful.

The Azalea Celebration is in its 19th year of operation, according to information furnished by NC Beautiful.

The plants are provided to non-profits such as civic and community clubs, schools, PTAs, 4-H, churches, municipalities, and garden clubs.

According to Gloria Dove of Keep Bladen Beautiful, a number of Bladen County non-profit organizations have received azaleas through the program in past years.

To participate, non-profit organizations may request an application by calling Dove at 645-4279 or by mailing a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: 2004 Azalea Celebration, P.O. Box 10155, Raleigh, NC 27605, or by email to ncbeautiful@bellsouth.net.

The application deadline is September 8.

NC Beautiful partners with WRAL-TV 5 and Mix 101.5-FM, both of Raleigh, to provide the azaleas. The plants are propagated by WRAL gardens, a project of the late A. J. Fletcher, founder of WRAL.

Recipients of azaleas through the program are eligible to participate in the companion program, A.J. Fletcher Award, in the spring of 2007. The award program provides prizes of up to $500 and additional azaleas to organizations that have kept their azalea gardens alive and healthy over the three-year period.

NC Beautiful promotes and encourages awareness, appreciation and stewardship of North Carolina's natural resources through environmental education and research. The 35-year-old organization oversees such programs as the Windows of Opportunity grants, Environmental Studies Program and Annual Azalea Celebration.

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