The PPG Industries Foundation has donated $15,000 to the Air Force Museum Foundation for construction of a fourth major building at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, OH. The grant was made on behalf of PPG Industries' aerospace business, which includes an application support center in Indianapolis.
"We are extremely grateful to PPG for supporting the expansion of this national treasure," said Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Richard V. Reynolds, chairman of the Air Force Museum Foundation's board of managers. "In addition to helping the museum better tell the story of the Air Force's contributions to peace and security around the globe, the expansion will include exciting new educational exhibits and programs to help address the deficit in our nation's science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) work force. PPG's tremendous generosity will have a positive impact for many generations to come, and we are proud to recognize them for that."
The new LEED silver-certified building will feature four galleries illustrating the U.S. Air Force's contribution to the space program, its role in transporting the president and other leaders, its contribution to global airlift missions, and research and development aircraft such as the XB-70, Valkyrie. The building, scheduled to open in 2015, also will host specialty tours, demonstrations and hands-on educational programs for visitors of all ages.
"PPG is strongly committed to supporting the communities where its employees work and live, especially through educational programs that encourage students to pursue STEM-related careers in industries related to our business," said Scott Cameron, PPG manager of the Indianapolis application support center, aerospace. "As a company with a long history of aerospace innovation, we are pleased to support a project that showcases America's tradition of flight excellence in a way that will spark the interest of the next generation."
Established in 1951, the PPG Industries Foundation demonstrates the values of PPG Industries by enhancing the quality of life in communities where the company has a presence. Interests of the foundation, in order of priority, are education, human services, culture and arts, and civic and community affairs. PPG also supports charitable causes by encouraging employees' volunteerism and board service with nonprofit organizations.
