Standard Process leads effort to endow parks

November 16, 2011 — When Standard Process Inc. kicked off fundraising efforts to raise money to support Jefferson County parks, the company hoped it wouldn’t take long to get the new endowment fund up and running. They didn’t wait long.

An anonymous donor took Standard Process up on its pledge to match dollar-for-dollar all gifts up to a total of $5,000 within two weeks of the August announcement that the fund had been established.

The Jefferson County Board, Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, and Standard Process were all amazed at the community’s immediate and generous response. In all, almost $12,000 dollars have been raised so far through the fundraising effort.

“By supporting the creation of a parks endowment for Jefferson County, we are offering all citizens in the region, and our employees, the opportunity to pursue and enjoy wellness in our country parks,” said Charles C. DuBois, president of Standard Process.

Charles Luthin, Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin executive director; John Molinaro, Jefferson County Board chairman; and Joe Nehmer, Jefferson County Parks director, represented their respective organizations during the check-presentation ceremony at the Standard Process corporate headquarters.

“We are deeply appreciative of Standard Process’ generous gift to help realize this dream of a parks endowment for the county,” Molinaro said.

The endowment, managed by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, will provide sustained annual funding to help support Jefferson County parks. The funding may be used for capital projects, such as shelters, restrooms, playground equipment, and tree planting, or for helping restore prairies and savannahs.

Source: Standard Process, www.standardprocess.com