AMETEK Foundation Supports Literacy Programs
10 December 1998
AMETEK Foundation Supports Literacy Programs in Alamance and Guilford Counties; Foundation's Grants Total Over $200,000
PAOLI, Pa., Dec. 9 -- The AMETEK Foundation (the Foundation),
the charitable organization funded by AMETEK, Inc. , today
announced that it is granting more than $200,000 to four reading and literacy
programs in Alamance and Guilford counties, near Greensboro, NC. All four
grants are part of a three-year, $920,000 commitment that the AMETEK
Foundation has made to support childhood reading and literacy programs in
communities where AMETEK operates.
"Reading unlatches the door to future success. The Foundation's grants
will provide children who are economically disadvantaged with an opportunity
to achieve a positive future. It is a well-supported fact that many of the
children who are not reading at grade level by the fourth grade never do catch
up," said Walter E. Blankley, AMETEK chairman and chief executive officer.
"The AMETEK Foundation decided earlier this year to fund literacy programs
in communities where we operate and which we and an independent consultant
identified as having the greatest need. Their purpose is to reach as many
children as possible within Alamance and Guilford counties who are at risk of
falling behind in reading. The grants are in addition to the Foundation's
other charitable activities," added Mr. Blankley, who also is chairman of the
AMETEK Foundation.
Three of the programs benefiting from the grants are located in Alamance
County, near the Graham, NC, motor plant of AMETEK's Lamb Electric Division.
They are the Alamance public library, Alamance-Burlington school system high
school writing and communications arts program; and the Alamance Partnership
for Children, Inc. The fourth grant is to the Gibsonville public library in
Guilford County, near AMETEK's Rotron Technical Motor Division plant in
Whitsett, NC.
"The AMETEK Foundation's grant funds a family literacy project that is a
collaboration between the Alamance Partnership for Children and the Alamance
County Health Department and Alamance County Community College. AMETEK' s
support also allows the Alamance public library to add to its children's book
collection and the high school to offer a state-approved communications art
project," noted John Getty, manager of AMETEK's Graham, NC, plant.
"The Foundation's grant enables the Gibsonville public library to hire a
full-time, qualified librarian to conduct children's literacy programs," added
James A. Liddle, manager of the AMETEK plant in Whitsett, NC.
The AMETEK Foundation, established in 1960, operates separately from
AMETEK, Inc. and serves as the principal funding entity for the Company's
charitable contributions. The Foundation's giving emphasizes programs that
support education, health and welfare, civic, and social needs in the
communities where AMETEK operates. As example, the Foundation matches AMETEK
employee contributions to the United Way and donates to the many causes, to
which AMETEK employees contribute their time and money.
AMETEK, Inc. is a leading global manufacturer of electric motors and
electronic instruments with sales approaching $1 billion. AMETEK's
Electromechanical Group is the world's leading producer of air-moving electric
motors for floorcare and a leader in advanced motors for outdoor power
equipment, business machines, and consumer products. It operates electric
motor plants in Graham and Whitsett, NC, and has approximately 460 Greensboro-
area employees.
CONTACT: William F. Cleary, 610-889-5249, or James P. McKinley,
610-889-5271, both of AMETEK.