Ecolab event raises more than $130,000 for the national restaurant association educational foundation

Chicago--(business wire)--ecolab helped raise more than $130,000 for the national restaurant association educational foundation (nraef) through a silent auction last night at the 11th annual ecolab chairman’s reception, held in conjunction with the national restaurant association (nra) restaurant, hotel-motel show in chicago. proceeds from the event, which was attended by more than 800 foodservice operators and guests, will support nraef’s prostart® program and provide scholarships for students seeking professions in the restaurant and foodservice industry. prostart is a nationwide, two-year high school program that unites the classroom and industry to develop the best and brightest talent into tomorrow’s restaurant and foodservice leaders. over the last 11 years, ecolab has raised more than $1.3 million for nraef and the prostart program through this annual event. “talented young people bring new energy and fresh perspectives to the restaurant and foodservice industry,” said ecolab chairman and ceo douglas m. baker, jr. “through the prostart program and other educational initiatives, the nraef helps ensure the industry’s continued vitality.” baker presented denise marie fugo, chairwoman of the nraef board of trustees, with a check for $130,370 on behalf of ecolab and event attendees. “the foundation’s programs are shining a spotlight on the diverse and rewarding career opportunities in the restaurant and foodservice industry,” said dawn sweeney, president and ceo of the national restaurant association and nraef. “on behalf of the 95,000 prostart students and scholarship recipients served by the nraef, we are grateful to ecolab and their industry partners for their contributions to help feed dreams and build futures.” about the nraef as the philanthropic foundation of the national restaurant association, the national restaurant association educational foundation’s (nraef) goal is to enhance the stature of the restaurant industry. the restaurant and foodservice industry comprises 980,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of more than 13 million employees, making it one of the nation's largest employers. the nraef’s focus is to attract, develop and retain a career-oriented professional workforce and to create a more positive business climate for the restaurant industry. for more information about the nraef, visit nraef.org. about ecolab a trusted partner at more than one million customer locations, ecolab (ecl) is the global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services that protect people and vital resources. with 2012 sales of $12 billion and 44,000 associates, ecolab delivers comprehensive solutions and on-site service to promote safe food, maintain clean environments, optimize water and energy use and improve operational efficiencies for customers in the food, healthcare, energy, hospitality and industrial markets in more than 170 countries around the world. for more ecolab news and information, visit www.ecolab.com. follow us on twitter @ecolab or facebook at facebook.com/ecolab. (ecl-c)
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