Proceeds grow from Smokies plates
Sales of Friends of the Smokies license plates brought in $230,000 over the first half of 2017, a 6 percent increase from last year that brings the plates’ overall fundraising total to $4.3 million since they were first sold in North Carolina.
“Not only is it a good-looking plate, but it supports programs in the park enjoyed by all ages,” said Steve Woody, a founding member of Friends of the Smokies. “The park is a huge economic driver of Western North Carolina, so I am proud to give back by buying the specialty license plate. It is money well spent and much appreciated by the national park.”
Twenty dollars of each $30 plate fee goes directly to projects in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. These include the Parks as Classroom program, Student Conservation Association internships, protection of flora and fauna and preservation of historic and cultural treasures. Plates are available from local License Plate Agency offices, www.friendsofthesmokies.org and www.ncdot.gov/dmv.
