News

PCA Honea Path Plant Pays It Forward

June 30, 2009

Relaxing at home one evening, the general manager of PCA Honea Path, SC, realized his plant had the winning ticket for one of the local schools. Recent state budget cuts began affecting the students and faculty of local schools in the plant's community. Many of the students were the children and/or grandchildren of PCA plant employees.

He immediately took action and met with the principal of the Honea Path Middle School to discuss entering into a 'business partnership' with the school. The main focus was an annual scholarship program. Basically, one student would be recognized at each grade level (grades 5-8) based on established qualifying criteria, and, in turn, PCA Honea Path would donate $200 to the school in honor of the student. These funds intended to help offset budget short falls. Since the start of the program, nearly six years ago, the $200 has increased to $500 per student, for a total annual contribution to the school of $2,000.

A process was developed in selecting and honoring a student at each grade level. Students are evaluated based on qualifying criteria: academics, leadership, community involvement/extracurricular activities, esprit de corps and servanthood. The faculty initially nominates and reviews all nominees, and then selects one student at each grade level to be honored. The honoree is then recognized at the end-of-the-year school awards assembly with a plaque presented by a PCA employee.

The 'partnership' entered in by plant employees and the school has been mutual. Employees are encouraged to extend themselves to the students and show appreciation to the school faculty. PCA has hosted a number of events offering ice cream sandwiches and pizza parties to the student body. Students and faculty have, in exchange, made birthday cards, baked cakes and crafted homemade Holiday gifts for plant employees.

The joint venture of Honea Path Middle School and PCA Hone Path has not only helped the school's budget, but it has also increased the participation of students and employees in the community, as well as, invested in the future of children in the area. In addition, PCA plant employee turnover is low and stability within the plant has grown, leading to a high quality work standard. The 'partnership' has been a win-win for all parties involved.