Annual Backpack Drive Benefits Marlborough Youth

Submitted by Justin Land with Dow

With summer coming to a close for area students, The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) is teaming up with the United Way of Tri County to support Marlborough community youth through the Back-to-School Supply Program. For the past three weeks, employees and friends of Dow’s Marlborough site have been donating school supplies and critical funds, with a goal of creating and presenting at least 70 filled backpacks to the United Way for distribution to students in need throughout the community. This year’s donation drive is one that carries extra meaning, as well as heightened inspiration, for the Dow family, as they have dedicated their participation to the memory of employee, Sandy Decker, who passed away earlier this year.

“It was a privilege for all of us to work and get to know Sandy Decker and be embraced in her endless passion for giving back to our community,” said Jim Fahey, Global Business Director-Semiconductor Technologies, Electronic Materials. “And it is an honor for all of us here at Dow to carry out her legacy of compassion and making an impact on community success through the Back-to-School Supply Program, a project Sandy led for us for several years. We’ve aimed even higher in our collection goals this year, and the outpouring of donations that allowed us to exceed those goals is a testament to the amazing life Sandy led, as well as to the powerful importance of the Program to today’s youth.”

In operation for over 15 years, the Backpack Drive is a combined effort between United Way of Tri County and area businesses to provide local youth with backpacks full of grade-specific supplies to assure they start the school year off “ready to learn.” This is the 7th year Dow’s Marlborough site is participating in the program, which they see as a critical part of the Company’s commitment to community success and the future.

Dow’s involvement with United Way is a tradition that dates back more than 75 years. Through United Way, Dow employees across North America help their local communities and neighbors by donating money and spending time volunteering.

“While Dow is focused on providing better solutions for today, we are equally focused on empowering the future. Helping to make sure children are best equipped for school and learning is an investment in today and tomorrow…an investment in ourselves and future generations,” said Fahey.

Sandy Decker joined Dow in 2001, evolving through various positions and responsibilities with the Company. She organized community service initiatives, which many colleagues identify as her true passion and her conduit for impacting thousands of lives as well as the future of an entire community.

“Sandy will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, beautiful smile, many random acts of kindness and her tireless efforts to help others,” continued Fahey. “Whether she was leading the Bake for Hope sale, Keep America Beautiful’s Great American Cleanup, Backpack Drive, food pantry drive or working hard as a Snowflake Holiday Helper, Sandy went about her work with the utmost humility and devotion to those around her. She never wanted anything in return…not recognition or accolades. Her greatest reward was making a difference in the lives of others.”