Carmeuse Foundation Donates Back-to-School Bags to Gary Boys & Girls Club

Carmeuse Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the global performance materials and services company Carmeuse, recently donated back-to-school bags to 50 Club members participating in Gary Boys & Girls Club’s In-Club Virtual Learning Assistance program. The recyclable bags contained supplies like notebooks, pens, and water bottles, as well as snacks, computer mice and headphones.

Letha Carriger, the plant generalist for Carmeuse’s Buffington Harbor operation, said that John Will Anderson Boys & Girls Club in Gary is the plant’s foundational partner. The partnership includes funding various events throughout the year and hosting a Boys & Girls Clubs back-to-school event.

“In a normal year, we typically provide 25 children with backpacks and school supplies, but this year we had to adjust because of COVID,” Carriger said. “After speaking with Boys & Girls Clubs, we determined that Club members really needed headphones and computer mice to fully participate in their virtual school work. We also increased the number of children we’re supporting this year.”

Boys & Girls Clubs Director of Operations Rosemarie Joiner said Carmeuse Foundation has been an important partner in ensuring Club members and parents have the resources they need to be successful.

“It’s a continuous effort to support parents and kids in the community, and we are grateful for the support we’ve received from Carmeuse over the years.”

Carmeuse’s Site Operations Manager Jose Verastegui said supporting the community is an important component of the company’s business model.

“We established this relationship with Boys & Girls Clubs because we truly believe that by showing a positive work culture and portraying the Carmeuse values of family and partnership, we can motivate and inspire kids to do great things,” Verastegui said.

Pictured in the photo are the collection of supplies that Carmeuse donated that made-up one of the back-to-school bags.