Ecolab Donates More Than $195,000 Locally to Teachers

In keeping with its 25-year tradition of supporting community schools, Ecolab awarded more than $195,000 in 2008 through its Ecolab Foundation Visions for Learning grants in the St. Paul area, and over $1.9 million since the inception of the program.

"Ecolab has always consistently supported education, utilizing a variety of means," said Michael Monahan, Vice President - External Relations and President of the Ecolab Foundation. "The focus of the Visions for Learning grant program is to help augment classroom curriculum for students in grades K-12 by providing additional classroom materials to help reach learning goals. We know teachers frequently spend personal funds on materials to improve the learning experience for their students. We feel strongly that partnering with teachers to improve classroom materials and their availability will help student achievement."

Visions for Learning is a program of the Ecolab Foundation. The Foundation will contribute over $6 million in 2008 to communities where Ecolab associates live and work.

Visions for Learning grants are given to kindergarten through-12th grade teachers to support and engage students, help them achieve at-grade level in basic skills, and enrich the classroom experience. Projects funded this year included materials for students to create and publish their own books, equipment for DNA testing and analysis, and materials to build a portable greenhouse to be taken care of by special education students.

Recipients from Saint Paul schools were honored at an awards ceremony on October 7, 2008, held at Ecolab's Research and Development facility in Eagan, MN. Teachers, principals, as well as district leaders toured the facility and enjoyed the evening's reception and award ceremony. "Ecolab's partnership with the Saint Paul Public Schools over the past twenty-two years is testament to the company's commitment to supporting excellence in education and setting an example of making a contribution to our community, with our youth and thereby our future," commented Meria Carstarphen, Superintendent of Saint Paul Public Schools.

In 2008, over $770,000 was awarded to teachers in Saint Paul, MN, and in twelve other U.S. Ecolab locations, where grants totaled between $30,000 and $60,000. Over 300 schools and thousands of students were touched by the program this year.

Website: http://www.ecolab.com/