Dow employee Matthew Machana demonstrates to local students how science can be fun by conducting hands-on experiments at Luling Elementary.

Among the activities in which Dow employees gave of their time and talents in 2004:

• Judging science fairs at local schools;
• Teaching Junior Achievement classes;
• Serving as volunteer instructors for the PTEC 101 program in St. Charles Parish high schools;
• Lending a hand with various activities at Partner-In-Education schools;
• Participating in clothes and food drives for needy families in the area;
• Collecting and safely disposing of household waste at Household Hazardous Materials Collection Days;
• Donating time and financial support to United Way campaigns;
• Going door-to-door to visit near neighbors and provide safety information.

St. Charles Operations' Community Relations Manager Stanley Roy Dufrene said, "Our employee volunteers are the heart of our community outreach efforts. Employees give their time, skills and talents to help meet individual and family needs here in our immediate communities.

"For example, employee Kim Harvey has served as a mentor through the HOSTS (Helping One Student to Succeed) program at JB Martin Middle School for seven years. Another employee, Steve Osborne, has volunteered for every one of the seven Household Hazardous Materials Collections Days that have taken place annually. During these events, volunteers such as Steve help residents safely dispose of household materials that otherwise may be disposed of improperly."

"We are proud to be able to recognize Steve, Kim and all of our employee volunteers for the enthusiastic way in which they are working to make a difference where we live and work."

Joining in the recognition breakfast to honor the volunteers were St. Charles Parish President Albert Laque, Killona Civic Association President Jerry Darensbourg, St. Charles Parish School District Executive Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Rachel Allemand and United Way of St. Charles representative Jara Roux.

Dow is a leader in science and technology, providing innovative chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to many essential consumer markets. With annual sales of $40 billion, Dow serves customers in 175 countries and a wide range of markets that are vital to human progress: food, transportation, health and medicine, personal and home care, and building and construction, among others. Committed to the principles of sustainable development, Dow and its 43,000 employees seek to balance economic, environmental and social responsibilities. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.

St. Charles Operations is owned by Union Carbide Corporation (UCC), a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company. "Dow", as used throughout this web site, often refers generically to The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.