Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and McWane, Inc. host ribbon-cutting ceremony at Golden Springs Elementary School in Anniston City School District
Students participate in STEM activities at new STEM Center; McWane to open 6 STEM Centers in the region
ANNISTON, Ala. (October 10, 2024) – The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation (CRSF) in partnership with McWane, Inc., Tyler Union, and M&H Valve Company today held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the launch of a new state-of-the-art STEM Center at Golden Springs Elementary School in Anniston, Alabama. The STEM Center is one of six being opened in the Anniston region as part of the partnership.
“Tyler Union, M&H Valve, and McWane, Inc. are excited to partner with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation to provide opportunities for children,” said Jon Pollard, Vice President of Anniston Operations. “STEM education is an initiative that we are absolutely committed to, and our development of these six STEM centers will provide facilities for children throughout the Anniston area to further their STEM education.”
Participants at the ribbon-cutting ceremony included Pollard, Steve Salem, President and CEO of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, and Dr. D. Ray Hill, Superintendent, Anniston City Schools. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, students participated in STEM activities in the new center.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate again with McWane, Inc., this time to launch STEM centers for the children of the Anniston region,” said Steve Salem, President and CEO of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. “At the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, we’re dedicated to creating educational opportunities for children and we’re proud to share this dedication with our partners at McWane.”
The opening of the STEM centers in the Anniston region continues a partnership between CRSF and McWane. Last year, McWane, Inc. donated $1 million to anchor the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation Youth Development Park in Phillipsburg, NJ. The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation has collaborated on more than 100 Youth Development Park projects nationwide.
CRSF has opened over 600 STEM Centers nationwide, gifting children in communities across the country a new access to state-of-the-art technology, hands-on learning experiences, and skill sets essential to the future of STEM. These STEM Centers provide children an opportunity to engage in age-appropriate STEM learning in a structured environment with trained teachers and mentors who make science, technology, engineering, and math compelling and fun.
About Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation:
The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation (CRSF) helps to strengthen America’s most underserved and distressed communities by supporting and advocating for children, building Youth Development Parks and STEM Centers, partnering with law enforcement and youth-service agencies, and addressing community needs through its national program initiatives. CRSF has opened over 600 STEM Centers nationwide, gifting children in communities across the country a new access to state-of-the-art technology, hands-on learning experiences, and skill sets essential to the future of STEM.
About McWane Inc.
McWane, Inc. is a family-owned business based in Birmingham, Alabama, with companies across the U.S. and around the world. The McWane family of companies casts ductile iron products, including pipe, valves, hydrants, fittings and plumbing products, and manufactures fire extinguishers, fire suppression systems and steel pressure vessels. McWane is a leader in delivering clean, safe drinking water while focusing on safe, environmentally friendly manufacturing processes. With more than 7,000 team members, McWane has a longstanding commitment of supporting the communities where our team members live and work. For more information, visit mcwane.com.