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Fiskars Announces 2011 Project Orange Thumb Grant and Garden Makeover Recipients

Selected from a pool of more than 700 applicants, Fiskars' 2011 garden makeover recipient is the Rockaway Waterfront Alliance (RWA) in Far Rockaway, New York. Their proposed "Rockaway Hip Hop Community Garden" will house educational stations and provide more than 10,000 residents that live in nearby public housing the chance to benefit from this beautified outdoor space. On June 29, Fiskars will join forces with The Home Depot Foundation, volunteers and community partners to transform a 7,500 square-foot barren lot into a beautiful, productive community gathering space - in a single day.

"From the White House to a neighbor's backyard, community gardening is an exploding trend nationwide," said Fiskars President Paul Tonnesen. "Project Orange Thumb is one way Fiskars can contribute to community gardening and the healthy, sustainable living it provides, while providing resources and support for an initiative community members are passionate about."

In addition to the garden makeover recipient, the following 10 organizations were selected to receive garden grants - $5,000 in cash and tools to help support their community garden goals.

2011 Project Orange Thumb Grant Recipients:

• Bread for the City, Washington, D.C.
• Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve, Rochester, Michigan
• Boys and Girls Club of America, Alameda, California
• GRuB Farm, Olympia, Washington
• The Sustainable Food Center, Austin, Texas
• The Karma Project, Penetanguishene, Ontario
• Midtown Partners, Inc., Jackson, Mississippi
• Community Food Initiatives, Appalachian, Ohio
• Esquimalt Community Gardens Society, Esquimalt, B.C.M.
• Another Avenue Cultural Resource Center, Nashville, Tennessee

Through Project Orange Thumb grants, Fiskars awards cash, garden tools and materials to help support community garden goals across North America. During a Project Orange Thumb garden makeover, Fiskars partners with The Home Depot Foundation (U.S.), Canadian Tire Corporation (Canada), and community partners to transform unused spaces into blossoming neighborhood gardens in a single day.

Rockaway, NY (June 29) is one of three North American sites selected by Fiskars for 2011. Additional 2011 Project Orange Thumb Garden Makeovers will take place in Fiskars Americas' hometown of Madison, Wisconsin (May 26) and Calgary, AB Canada (July 27).

Since 2002, Project Orange Thumb has contributed over $1 million to more than 115 community groups through the program and has completed nine community garden makeovers in the U.S. and Canada. These include garden projects geared toward community involvement, neighborhood beautification, sustainable agriculture and horticultural education.

For further information on the grant recipients and the Project Orange Thumb program, visit www.projectorangethumb.com. Updates of each garden's progress through the growing season will be posted to the Fiskars website and the Project Orange Thumb Facebook page.

ABOUT PROJECT ORANGE THUMB

Established in 2002, Fiskars' Project Orange Thumb is a community gardening initiative that provides groups across the U.S. and Canada with tools, materials and resources they need to create beautiful and productive community garden spaces. Since Fiskars started Project Orange Thumb, community organizations in the U.S. and Canada have been able to apply for grants to help reach their goals for neighborhood beautification and creation of a healthy, sustainable food source. Fiskars expanded Project Orange Thumb in 2008 to include hands-on garden makeovers, working closely with neighbors, business leaders, volunteers and community partners to transform barren lots into beautiful, productive community gathering spaces. Fiskars' Project Orange Thumb has provided over $1 million to more than 115 community groups and has completed nine garden makeovers in the U.S. and Canada. For more information, please visit www.projectorangethumb.com and www.facebook.com/ProjectOrangeThumb.

ABOUT FISKARS

Fiskars, the World's #1 Scissors Brand , is a leading global supplier of consumer products for the home, garden and outdoors. The world famous orange-handled scissors are a registered trademark of Fiskars Corporation. The group has a strong portfolio of trusted international brands including: Iittala, Gerber, Silva, and Buster. Founded in 1649, Fiskars has over 360 years of product quality excellence and is Finland's oldest company. For more information, please visit www.fiskars.com.

Fiskars
Amanda Schweger, 608-294-4730
amanda.schweger@fiskars.com