Airgas Extends Commitment to Operation Homefront with $100,000 Donation
Company marks total contribution of $400,000 toward military families and support of veterans
RADNOR, PA – July 19, 2011 – Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG), the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, today extended its commitment to Operation Homefront, a charity that supports America's service members by providing emergency assistance and support to families of deployed service members and to those returning home wounded. Airgas presented Operation Homefront with a donation of $100,000 at Airgas headquarters in Radnor, PA, marking the Company’s fourth annual contribution to honor America’s veterans and their families.
The Company began its relationship with Operation Homefront in 2008, pledging $300,000 to be donated in increments of $100,000 each year over three years, with 70 percent going toward Operation Homefront's projects to assist wounded warriors. Airgas also set a goal of hiring 100 veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan service, and exceeded the goal during the third year of its commitment. The Company continues to actively recruit veterans for positions throughout the organization and will also continue to offer the Airgas “Welding 101” course to any veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan service who is interested in exploring a career in welding.
“Our military service members make enormous sacrifices in carrying out their duties,” said Airgas Chief Executive Officer Peter McCausland. “Operation Homefront helps meet the needs of the military community during times of difficulty, and Airgas is proud to join in providing vital aid to those who have given so much to their country.”
Airgas associates also support the organization by volunteering in local activities and fundraisers held across the country. Each Airgas regional company and business unit has designated an Operation Homefront point person to manage the relationship between its operations and Operation Homefront chapters in its area.
“One of the outstanding qualities of our company is the generosity of Airgas associates, who regularly give back to the communities where they work and live,” said McCausland. “Since our partnership with Operation Homefront began, our associates have volunteered at scores of local chapter events across the country, and we look forward to continuing the Airgas charitable tradition with our friends at Operation Homefront over the next year.”
About Operation Homefront
A national nonprofit that provides emergency financial and other assistance to the families of service members and Wounded Warriors, Operation Homefront leads more than 5000 volunteers across 26 chapters and has met more than 430,000 needs since 2002. A four-star rated charity by watchdog Charity Navigator, nationally, 94 percent of total revenue donated to Operation Homefront goes to programs. More information is available at www.OperationHomefront.net. To donate, visit www.operationhomefront.net/donate.
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