Kimble-Chase Donates Science Supplies to Rockwood High School
Thursday January 07, 2010
Kingston, TN - Rockwood High School science students received much needed science laboratory glassware supplies when the Kimble-Chase company in Rockwood donated thirty cases of glass labware. John Wang, world-wide President of Kimble-Chase and visiting from the corporate headquarters in Vineland, New Jersey, presented the supplies to school principal Alan Reed and science teachers Sandra Billings, Tim Hall, and Donna Young, on January 6 at the high school.
"Kimble-Chase is involved in the community. We've been here for more than 20 years. Our employees live here and their children go to school here. It is very important that students take science courses to be competitive for jobs in business and technology," said Wang. "With this donation of scientific glass labware, we wish to improve your experience in lab classes and make your studies more interesting and safer. As you continue in school or your work, we hope you will use our products in your labs, and maybe come to work with us."
Reed thanked the Kimble-Chase representatives for their donation. "Kimble-Chase has been a big factor in our local economy. It has also been an involved and valuable partner with the school," said Reed. "One of our school administrators used to be an employee at Kimble-Chase and, in part from her experiences there, she chose to continue her education in the field of science and became a teacher. Your company makes a positive impact upon our community in many ways."
"Kimble-Chase's manufacturing plant in Rockwood has more than 350 employees," said Susan Tinnon, Vice President of Human Resources for Kimble-Chase. "We are involved with the community and will continue to be involved. We want to participate in your career days and career fairs. Just let us know how we can help."
According to Gene Jones, Manufacturing Manager at the Rockwood plant, "we manufacture 1.3 billion pieces of disposal culture tube glassware annually, and are one of the largest of seven plants owned by Kimble-Chase around the world. The supplies donated today, test tubes and a variety of beakers and cylinders, are reusable laboratory glassware made by our plants in China and New Jersey."
The idea of donating the scientific glassware was raised at the beginning of the school year during the annual Teachers Supply Closet sponsored by the Roane Alliance and Roane State Community College. Kimble-Chase donated $500 to the supply closet. But then Russell Bearden, Human Resource Manager for Kimble-Chase's Rockwood plant, asked the question, "Do the schools need test tubes or beakers for their science classes?" The Roane Alliance took the lead in arranging the donation from Kimble-Chase to the school. As a manufacturer, Kimble-Chase could help our schools by doing what they do best, providing world-class scientific laboratory glassware. Bearden is looking at similar donations to other Roane County high schools.
"The Teachers Supply Closet is a great way for area businesses and individuals to help Roane County teachers acquire additional supplies and equipment for their classrooms," said Allen Lutz, Education and Workforce Development Specialist for the Roane Alliance. "Kimble-Chase has shown its dedication to and appreciation for our community through its earlier financial donations and again with this donation. Their support is greatly appreciated and will help to make student activities and learning more effective."
The community's appreciation for the donation was underscored by the attendance at the ceremony by Dr. Joseph Parker, Secondary Supervisor for Roane County Schools, and other community representatives. Also attending from Kimble-Chase's headquarters were Brad Hogg, Vice President of Operations, and Lee Pannell, VP of Sales and Marketing.
The Roane Alliance is Roane County's economic development organization and consists of both public and private organizations, including the Roane County Chamber of Commerce, the Roane County Industrial Development Board and the Roane County Visitors Bureau.
