Local Heroes Make a Positive Impact on the Planet
Cox Enterprises has named Eric Grace, Isaac Nelson and The Plastic Ocean Project the winners of the 2025 Cox Conserves Heroes program.
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Cox Conserves Heroes is part of Cox Enterprises' national sustainability initiative, designed to recognize youth and adult volunteers, as well as nonprofits, making a positive impact on our environment.
Each winner earned a $30,000 grant from the James M. Cox Foundation to support an environmental nonprofit of their choice. Together, the James M. Cox Foundation and Cox Enterprises have contributed more than $325 million to environmental and conservation causes.
“More than 20 years ago, we started Cox Conserves because we believed that doing business can't be separated from doing the right thing,” said Jim Kennedy, Chairman Emeritus of Cox Enterprises andChairmanof the James M. Cox Foundation. “What began as small, individual efforts by our employees has grown into something much bigger. Today, we have businesses dedicated to sustainability and have expanded our efforts beyond our company to recognizepeoplefor all they do. We are proud to honor these individuals and the local organizations making a meaningful impact on their communities – andultimately theworld.”
Meet the Heroes
Eric Gracereceived theGroundbreakeraward inthe adult category. As the founder of the Creek Cleanup Project, Eric has spent the past eight years organizing volunteers to remove over500,000 poundsof litter and 20,000 tires fromConococheagueCreek along 93 miles in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Through this grassroots initiative, he is helping restore waterways and build environmental pride – one cleanup at a time.
Isaac Nelsonisthis year's Planet Protector andwinnerof the youth category. Isaac is a middle school student from Florida who started Eco Scouts to encourage his classmates to protect local coastal environments. Through Eco Scouts, Isaac organizes activitiesthat includerestoring coral reefs and mangroves, testing waterqualityand cleaning up local beaches. He also distributes oyster mats made without plastic and helps educate other students by creating films,podcastsand hands-on projects focused on caring for coastal ecosystems.
The Plastic Ocean Projectreceived the Jim Kennedy Conservation Award, named in honor of Cox EnterprisesChairmanEmeritus and James M. Cox FoundationChairmanJim Kennedy, an environmentalist who started Cox Conserves in 2007. The organization, based in Wilmington, North Carolina, is a youth-led nonprofit committed to finding science-based solutions to the global plastic pollution crisis.
Through research, education and outreach, The Plastic Ocean Project empowers individuals to make informed choices thatbenefitboth human and environmental health. Its hands-on initiatives includetrash cleanupsand a unique reforestation effort – planting one tree for every 25 pounds of trash collected.
The second- and third-place winners in each category received $15,000 and $5,000, respectively, for their nonprofit of choice.
Adult volunteers:
— Second place: Yuri Williams, Long Beach, CA
— Third place: Christy Thrift, Bakersville, NC
Youth volunteers (under 18):
— Second place: Mahisha Shah, Collin County, TX
— Third place: Ryle Brooke Kamahele, Honolulu, HI
Nonprofits:
— Second place: Common Ground Relief, New Orleans, LA
— Third place: The Northern Virginia Conservation, Annandale, VA
Since 2008, Cox has honored more than 200 volunteers across the nation who have helped make a significant impact on sustainability and environmental protection in the community, and that commitment continues.Visit CoxEnterprises.com/our-impactto learn more aboutthe collective impact and the 2025 Cox Conserves Heroes.
About Cox Enterprises Cox Enterprises is dedicated to empowering people to build a better future for the next generation. Cox is a leader in the broadband, automotive, and media industries, as well as a leading investment platform with strategic positions in emerging technologies driving the future of agriculture, renewableenergyand public sector software. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Cox is a global company with$23 billionin annual revenues and a proud history spanning more than 125 years. To learn more about Cox and its commitment to its people,planetand communities, visit coxenterprises.com.
About the James M. Cox Foundation The James M. Cox Foundation is named in honor of Cox Enterprises' founder and provides funding for capital campaigns and special projects in communities where the company operates. James M. Cox was Ohio's first three-term governor and the 1920 Democratic nominee for president of the United States. The Foundation concentrates its community support in several areas, including biodiversity, conservation and environment, early childhood education, health and empowering families and individuals for success.
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