CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Ecolab Inc. announced today that it raised $135,350 for the National
Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) at its 9th
Annual Ecolab Chairman's Reception. The money raised during the silent
auction on May 22 will support the NRAEF's ProStart® program
including scholarships for restaurant and foodservice students.
"We are honored that so many of our customers and industry partners
donated generously to this special event helping us continue to support
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. We are
proud to continue our support of the NRAEF, particularly because its
mission focuses on building a talented, dynamic workforce for the
future."
More than 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 nine years, Ecolab has
contributed more than $1 million to the non-profit organization.
Baker presented Carlton Curtis, Chairman of the NRAEF Board of Trustees,
with the donation on behalf of Ecolab.
"We thank Ecolab for once again proving to be a dedicated partner and
stalwart supporter of the NRAEF," Curtis said. "Ecolab sets the standard
for our industry by investing in programs with high impact, like our
student scholarships and ProStart, which is uniting the classroom and
industry to develop the best and brightest talent into tomorrow's
restaurant and foodservice leaders.
"We are incredibly thankful for Ecolab's very generous donation and
their long history of support of the NRAEF and the ProStart program,"
added Dawn Sweeney, President and CEO of the National Restaurant
Association and NRAEF. "Ecolab, along with the many donors at Sunday's
event, are critical to the success of the NRAEF, and these essential
funds will help support the NRAEF Scholarship Program as well as the
growth and enhancement of the ProStart program, which is creating
opportunity for 90,000 high school students across the country."
The NRAEF has seen increased demand for its programs and services as the
industry continues to grow and the U.S. economy relies upon the
restaurant and foodservice industry as its economic engine. In 2011
alone, the industry will employ 12.8 million people, or nine percent of
the U.S. workforce, and over the next decade, the industry expects to
add 1.3 million more jobs. That is why a program like ProStart and
offering industry scholarships is critical. 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.
(ECL-C)
Ecolab Inc.
Jennifer Kirscher, 651-293-2846
Source: Ecolab Inc.
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