CHICAGO, May 25, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Ecolab Inc. announced today that it raised more than $118,000 for the
National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) at its 8th
Annual Ecolab Chairman's Reception. The money raised during the silent
auction on May 23 will provide approximately 50 scholarships for
restaurant and foodservice students.
"We are proud to continue our support of the NRAEF, the leading provider
of education and training for the restaurant and foodservice industry,"
said Douglas M. Baker, Jr., Ecolab Chairman, President and CEO.
"Education plays a fundamental role in sustaining the vitality and
long-term health of our industry. This donation reflects Ecolab's
commitment in building a talented, dynamic workforce for the future."
Over 750 foodservice operators and guests attended the annual silent
auction, which is held during the National Restaurant Association
Restaurant Hotel-Motel Show. Over the past eight years, Ecolab has
contributed more than $1 million to the non-profit organization.
Baker presented William L. Hyde, Jr., Chairman of the NRAEF Board of
Trustees, with the $118,000 donation on behalf of Ecolab.
"We salute Ecolab for its innovative leadership and the depth of its
commitment to the NRAEF's mission," Hyde said. "Ecolab sets the standard
for our industry by investing in programs with high impact, like our
student scholarships. Ecolab came to us with the vision to raise
significant funding for use in assisting students as they pursue their
educational goals."
"We are extremely grateful for Ecolab's ongoing support to the NRAEF,"
added Dawn Sweeney, President and CEO of the National Restaurant
Association and NRAEF. "Ecolab, along with the many donors at Sunday's
event, enables the NRAEF to continue enhancing the restaurant industry's
service to the public through education, community engagement and
promotion of career opportunities. Specifically, these funds will help
support our ProStart program for more than 83,000 high school students
around the country, and the NRAEF Scholarship Program."
The NRAEF has seen increased demand for its programs and services as the
industry continues to grow and the U.S. economy recovers from the
challenges of the last two years. Contributions from leaders like Ecolab
and the attendees of the Chairman's Reception are key to our industry's
future success.
About Ecolab Inc.
Ecolab Inc. (NYSE: ECL) is the global
leader in cleaning, sanitizing, food safety and infection prevention
products and services. Ecolab delivers comprehensive programs and
services to the foodservice, food and beverage processing, healthcare,
and hospitality markets in more than 160 countries. More news and
information is available at www.ecolab.com.
About the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
As
the philanthropic foundation of the National Restaurant Association, the
National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) enhances
the restaurant industry's service to the public through education,
community engagement, and promotion of career opportunities. The
restaurant and foodservice industry is comprised of 945,000 restaurant
and foodservice outlets and a workforce of 13 million employees, making
it one of the nation's largest employers. The NRAEF is focused on
working with the Association to lead America's restaurant industry into
a new era of prosperity, prominence and participation by providing the
valuable tools and resources needed to educate our current and incoming
employees. For more information on the NRAEF, visit www.nraef.org.
For more information about the National Restaurant Association, visit www.restaurant.org.
(ECL-C)
SOURCE: Ecolab Inc.
Ecolab Inc.
Jennifer Kirscher, 651-293-2846
Copyright Business Wire 2010