Agro Perspectiva

ADM Donates More Than $1.3 Million to Support Education in Central Illinois

21.09.2010 12:51 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) — Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) today announced a donation of more than $1.3 million to support schools and educational initiatives in Macon County and throughout Central Illinois. The donation includes $260,000 for Decatur Public Schools, $250,000 for the Decatur Area Education Coalition and additional funds for schools and organizations in 16 Illinois counties. The donation of more than $1.3 million is the single largest contribution ADM has made to support educational initiatives in Central Illinois. The donation was made through ADM Cares, the company’s corporate social investment program. «Education is the key to progress and a foundation of a great community,» said Victoria Podesta, ADM vice president of Corporate Communications. «ADM is proud to support educational initiatives in Decatur and the surrounding area to help create a great future for our community, our employees and our children.» Podesta presented the check for more than $1.3 million today at Johns Hill Magnet School in Decatur to Gloria Davis, superintendent, Decatur Public Schools; Matt Snyder, regional superintendent of schools, Macon-Piatt Regional Office of Education; Wegi Stewart, executive director, Community Foundation of Decatur/Macon County; and Daniel Winter, president, Decatur Public School Board. Decatur Mayor Mike McElroy, Johns Hill students and representatives from the Decatur Area Education Coalition, Millikin University, Richland Community College, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Boys & Girls Club of Decatur and Junior Achievement attended the check presentation. «This partnership is a wonderful example of business and education working together for the benefit of the entire community,» said Davis. «ADM’s generous donation demonstrates their commitment to both the educational and economic success of our community.»In 2008, ADM realigned its corporate giving efforts and launched ADM Cares for more meaningful social investing and to strengthen the company’s commitment to agriculture, communities, colleagues and others who have a direct tie to the company. ADM Cares has three areas of focus: Strong Roots to support agriculture and environmental initiatives; Strong Communities to meet educational and other pressing needs in ADM communities; and Strong Bonds for disaster relief, volunteer programs, in-kind food donations, matching gifts and employee-to-employee assistance. The program directs up to one percent of ADM’s pretax profits to initiatives and organizations around the world that drive meaningful social, economic and environmental progress.