Ferguson earmarks more than $1 million for Hampton Roads education

Ferguson, the largest wholesale plumbing distributor in the U.S., has renewed its community partnerships with An Achievable Dream and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, emphasizing its focus on education in Hampton Roads. Ferguson will donate more than $1 million to An Achievable Dream over the next decade, a unique public/private partnership that operates two schools serving disadvantaged youth in the region. In addition, the company will fund educational field trips to Colonial Williamsburg for local fourth-graders again this academic year.

"Education is a large part of Ferguson's Corporate Social Responsibility program," explained Ferguson CEO Frank Roach. "We strive to give our young people the tools they need to succeed academically and seek to develop long-lasting partnerships with the school systems and educators in Hampton Roads. Whether it's a hands-on learning experience at Colonial Williamsburg, a mentor or a scholarship, it is vital to the development of our community, because success comes full circle."

An Achievable Dream

Ferguson has pledged $1.1 million to An Achievable Dream through 2024, including funding for the new Virginia Beach school at Seatack Elementary and continued support of the organization's annual Tennis Ball. Through the partnership, Ferguson also provides classroom resource time and scholarships to members of a specific graduating class. Ferguson associates visit An Achievable Dream Academy six times per academic year to share business skills, career guidance and character development advice with students attending An Achievable Dream Middle and High School. Students are also invited to tour Ferguson and meet with the company's Executive Leadership Team.

"We are excited to partner with Ferguson, not only in the opening of An Achievable Dream Academy at Seatack Elementary in Virginia Beach, but also in our on-going partnership in support of the annual Tennis Ball gala and annual fund operations in Newport News," said Kathy Edwards, An Achievable Dream President. "Thanks to their generous support, our students are succeeding in school and achieving their dreams of college and successful futures."

Ferguson has partnered with An Achievable Dream since 1993, supporting the organization's mission through scholarships, sponsorship, annual fund contributions, associate volunteer time and board membership.

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Ferguson's grant to Colonial Williamsburg covers admission and transportation to Colonial Williamsburg's Revolutionary City for approximately 5,600 fourth graders in the Gloucester, Hampton, Mathews County, Newport News, Poquoson and York County public school systems during the 2014-15 academic year. The field trip lessons correspond with the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs).

"Colonial Williamsburg's core mission is to rely on history as a tool for encouraging engaged and responsible citizenship, essential to sustaining our democratic republic," said Colin Campbell, President and CEO of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. "We are grateful and delighted that Ferguson has again partnered with us to ensure that the young people in our area public schools continue to have this vital educational experience. The Ferguson Cares program, the company's community engagement initiative, is a superb example of corporate responsibility. We are proud to be part of it."