FLAGLER COUNTY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION RECEIVES $5,000 PLUM CREEK FOUNDATION GRANT

BUNNELL, Fla.--June 3, 2009--The Plum Creek Foundation recently awarded $5,000 to the Flagler County Educational Foundation for their “Packs 4 Backs” Program, which disseminates backpacks filled with age appropriate school supplies to K-12 students in need.        

“We are honored to be chosen as a Plum Creek Foundation grant recipient,” said Nicole Brose, executive director, Flagler County Educational Foundation.  “With 47 percent of our county’s students on free and reduced lunch, there is such a great need in our community.  By providing the tools our children need to do well in school, we are setting them on a path for success.”

The Flagler County Education Foundation’s goal is to distribute 800 backpacks at the start of the 2009-2010 school year in August.  Due to this grant, as well as contributions from the Flagler County community, the foundation has already reached their goal of purchasing 800 backpacks.   Volunteers will prepare the backpacks for distribution by filling them with essential supplies, and representatives from each Flagler County Public School will distribute the packs to children in need.

“Our Foundation believes in supporting the communities where we work and live,” said Greg Galpin, senior manager, planning for Plum Creek.  “Research shows that students learn better when they have all the supplies they need in place.  We are privileged to be able to invest in the future of Flagler County’s students.”

The mission of the Plum Creek Foundation is to provide philanthropic contributions to support and improve the general welfare of life in the communities that Plum Creek serves.  The Foundation board meets quarterly to review applications submitted from organizations in the company’s operating communities.  Visit the Community Involvement page on Plum Creek’s Web site at www.plumcreek.com to download an application.

In addition to “Packs 4 Backs”, the Education Foundation provides college scholarships for Flagler County students through its relationship with "Take Stock in Children”, distributes competitively selected grants directly to Flagler County Public School teachers, and much more. Contact Nicole Brose at brosen@flaglerschools.com or visit www.flagleredfoundation.org for more information.

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Plum Creek is the largest and most geographically diverse private landowner in the nation with approximately 7 million acres of timberlands in major timber producing regions of the United States and wood products manufacturing facilities in the Northwest.  For more information, visit www.plumcreek.com.