A major national plumbing company based in Newport News has re-upped its commitment to education in the region.
Ferguson, the largest wholesale plumbing distributor in the U.S., has renewed community partnerships with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and An Achievable Dream.
For Colonial Williamsburg, Ferguson will be funding field trips for about 5,600 fourth-grade students from Gloucester, Hampton, Mathews County, Newport News, Poquoson and York County public schools. The grant will cover admission and transportation costs to the Revolutionary City for the 2014-15 school year, and the lessons are set to match with Virginia Standards of Learning.
“We are grateful and delighted that Ferguson has again partnered with us to ensure that the young people in our area public schools continue to have this vital educational experience,” said Colin Campbell, Colonial Williamsburg’s president and CEO, in a news release. “The Ferguson Cares program, the company’s community engagement initiative, is a superb example of corporate responsibility. We are proud to be part of it.”
Ferguson has also pledged $1.1 million to An Achievable Dreams, a school that works in partnership with Newport News Public Schools to provide education and encouragement to youth facing socioeconomic hardship. Ferguson has supported the program since 1993 through monetary contributions, volunteer hours and service on its board.
Part of the future assistance will go toward a new school for An Achievable Dream in Virginia Beach. Ferguson will also visit the academy during the year to share skills and advice, along with inviting students to tour the company and meet its executive team.
“Education is a large part of Ferguson’s Corporate Social Responsibility program,” said Ferguson CEO Frank Roach in a release. “We strive to give our young people the tools they need to succeed academically and seek to develop long-lasting partnerships with the school systems and educators in Hampton Roads. Whether it’s a hands-on learning experience at Colonial Williamsburg, a mentor or a scholarship, it is vital to the development of our community, because success comes full circle.”
