Missouri American Water contributes $60,000 in school supplies, donations for Joplin

From PR Newswire)

This week, Missouri American Water and its employees across the state completed the company’s “New Beginnings” program, which collected over $60,000 in school supplies and donations for Joplin.

“As the water service provider for Joplin, we reached out to help local organizations with whom we’ve had long-standing partnerships: the Joplin School District, the Economic Security Corporation (the local community action agency) and the Red Cross,” said Missouri American Water President Frank Kartmann.

All Missouri American Water operations, plus American Water’s National Water Quality Laboratory in Belleville, IL and Customer Service Centers in Alton, IL and Pensacola, FL donated an estimated $25,000 in school supplies that helped the Joplin School District start summer school on time. Missouri American Water employees also worked with many other organizations who donated supplies – from local Girl Scouts to Illinois Electric to Texas Instruments – to deliver them to Joplin.

Dr. C.J. Huff, Joplin School District Superintendent said, "When you have a local company support us in this manner, it’s just humbling and overwhelming.”

Employee and company financial donations to the Joplin School District and the Economic Security Corporation totaled about $21,000.

American Water, Missouri American Water’s parent company, set up a donation website for Joplin that has collected an additional $7,500 from employees across the company. American Water is also making a $10,000 contribution.