Shoals schools land Giving Tuesday donation

Mike Grant, Washington Times-Herald, Ind.
·2 min read

Nov. 29—A national company will be making a difference for students as Shoals High School.

National Gypsum announced that as part of "GivingTuesday" that it is donating $1 million to communities where it has operations. The money is split between 40 organizations throughout the United States and Canada to support educational and community service initiatives where the company has operations.

"NGC Giving began a couple of years ago and it is a program where we want to help create better futures in the communities where we live and work," said Beth Straeten with National Gypsum. "It's a program where we work with our associates to nominate a non-profit in their area that involves the community, education and the environment."

NGC is donating $25,000 to the Shoals Schools digital fabrication lab.

"Getting a piece of that pie is great. What better place for it to go than to our youth and our talent for the future. The students are learning some really big skills over there, so it is great they are providing that funding to help further their education and using that equipment," said Jessica Potts, executive director of the Martin County Alliance for Business. "I don't feel like I have been out of school that long. I am an '09 graduate of Loogootee. I toured both of our area schools and I am envious of what our students have at their fingertips now, the skills they can learn before even going to secondary education. The school corporations are offering amazing opportunities."

The organizations receiving the donations, including Shoals Schools were selected by a local committee as part of the company's efforts toward building better communities.

"From the products we make to supporting the communities we call home, National Gypsum is dedicated to building better futures," said Thomas C. Nelson, chairman, president and CEO of National Gypsum Company. "We are grateful to all of these organizations for the difference they make in their communities every day."

Local leaders point out that when business and industry get involved with helping fund technical learning programs the community and the students are the beneficiaries.

"It is very helpful when private business gets involved to help with developing these opportunities. Shoals and Loogootee offer STEM and technical opportunities," said Potts. "With Crane in our backyard this provides an awesome opportunity for those kids to have a head start on positions that are closer to home and can help us retain that talent."

The National Gypsum donations went to multiple locations in Indiana, 18 other states and two Canadian provinces.