LyondellBasell Supports Elementary School in Region Recovering from Hurricane Devastation
HOUSTON, March 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB), one of the largest plastics, chemicals and refining companies in the world, donated a total of $60,000 to the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation's My Home Library program and Communities in Schools – Bay Area to support children attending K.E. Little Elementary School in Dickinson, Texas, one of the communities hardest hit by Hurricane Harvey, a massive storm that severely damaged portions of the Texas Gulf Coast last August. Many children in Dickinson and the surrounding area lost their homes and personal belongings. The gift will be used to provide six books to every student and case management for 60 at-risk children who need services such as tutoring, family counseling, nutrition, medical care, clothing and school supplies.
"Part of being a responsible, good neighbor is making a positive impact in the communities where we live and work and we are pleased to contribute to two leading organizations that empower children and give them the tools they need to succeed in life," said LyondellBasell's CEO Bob Patel.
At a special book fair held at K.E. Little Elementary School, LyondellBasell employees helped each child search through hundreds of books to select their favorites to take home along with a new backpack.
The Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, founded by former U.S. First Lady Barbara Bush, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for Houstonians of all ages through the power of literacy. The My Home Library program gives children in need a personal collection of books and a choice in what books they read.
"Research shows that when children have access to books, they read more often and achieve at higher academic levels, opening opportunities for them in elementary school and beyond," said Julie Baker Finck, Ph.D. president, Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation. "When we learned of the personal loss suffered in the Dickinson area due to Hurricane Harvey, it broke our hearts to think that children were without books at home and we are very happy to join with LyondellBasell to fill this need."
Communities In Schools (CIS) is the nation's leading community-based organization helping vulnerable students stay in school and prepare for life. According to the organization, 78 percent of their students improved school attendance, 93 percent were promoted to the next grade and 99 percent of potential dropouts stayed in school.
"Following the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey, we have been humbled by companies like LyondellBasell who have expressed a strong desire to help their communities rebuild," said Peter Wuenschel, executive director, CIS-Bay Area. "At-risk children who were traumatized by the loss suffered in the storm face significant barriers to academic success and CIS is committed to providing the support these children need to rise above their current circumstance, stay in school and achieve great things."
LyondellBasell has supported hurricane relief efforts since the early days of the storm. A donation was given to the American Red Cross Texas Gulf Coast Region, which provides life-saving services to more than 9 million people in the affected cities such as Corpus Christi, Beaumont, Galveston and Houston. A donation of personal protective equipment was given to the Houston Office of Emergency Management, which supported emergency responders and recovery teams in their efforts to search flooded homes and businesses. An additional donation of food was given to Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana to support their shelters which housed those impacted by the storm. The company also set up a Disaster Relief Fund as a way for employees to directly help their colleagues in need, with LyondellBasell matching funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
The company's global philanthropic efforts are focused in the areas of education, health, environment and providing support for first responders. The company remains an active supporter of many local organizations, including MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston Astros Foundation and Galveston Bay Foundation. The company also actively supports the Harris County Sheriff's Industrial Unit Deputies and the Houston Police Department.
About LyondellBasell
LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) is one of the largest plastics, chemicals and refining companies in the world. Driven by its 13,400 employees around the globe, LyondellBasell produces materials and products that are key to advancing solutions to modern challenges like enhancing food safety through lightweight and flexible packaging, protecting the purity of water supplies through stronger and more versatile pipes, and improving the safety, comfort and fuel efficiency of many of the cars and trucks on the road. LyondellBasell sells products into approximately 100 countries and is the world's largest licensor of polyolefin technologies. In 2018, LyondellBasell was named one of the "World's Most Admired Companies" by Fortune Magazine. More information about LyondellBasell can be found at www.lyondellbasell.com.
SOURCE LyondellBasell
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