Ecolab Inc. announced that it raised more than $118,000 for the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) at its 8th Annual Ecolab Chairman’s Reception held this week. The money raised during the silent auction on May 23 will provide approximately 50 scholarships for restaurant and foodservice students.
“We are proud to continue our support of the NRAEF, the leading provider of education and training for the restaurant and foodservice industry,” said Douglas M. Baker, Jr., Ecolab Chairman, President and CEO. “Education plays a fundamental role in sustaining the vitality and long-term health of our industry. This donation reflects Ecolab’s commitment in building a talented, dynamic workforce for the future.”
Over 750 foodservice operators and guests attended the annual silent auction, which is held during the National Restaurant Association Restaurant Hotel-Motel Show. Over the past eight years, Ecolab has contributed more than $1 million to the non-profit organization.
Baker presented William L. Hyde, Jr., Chairman of the NRAEF Board of Trustees, with the $118,000 donation on behalf of Ecolab.
“We salute Ecolab for its innovative leadership and the depth of its commitment to the NRAEF’s mission,” Hyde said. “Ecolab sets the standard for our industry by investing in programs with high impact, like our student scholarships. Ecolab came to us with the vision to raise significant funding for use in assisting students as they pursue their educational goals.”
“We are extremely grateful for Ecolab’s ongoing support to the NRAEF,” added Dawn Sweeney, President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association and NRAEF. “Ecolab, along with the many donors at Sunday’s event, enables the NRAEF to continue enhancing the restaurant industry’s service to the public through education, community engagement and promotion of career opportunities. Specifically, these funds will help support our ProStart program for more than 83,000 high school students around the country, and the NRAEF Scholarship Program.”
The NRAEF has seen increased demand for its programs and services as the industry continues to grow and the U.S. economy recovers from the challenges of the last two years. Contributions from leaders like Ecolab and the attendees of the Chairman’s Reception are key to our industry’s future success.
