Perdue Farms Brings STEM Centers to Rural Virginia Schools

SALISBURY, MD. — As part of a commitment to education, Perdue Farms has awarded the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation (CRSF) a $60,000 grant from the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation to help bring STEM Centers to two Accomack County elementary schools in rural Eastern Shore of Virginia.

The Perdue gift from the company’s charitable giving arm is part of its Delivering Hope To Our Neighbors^® initiative focused on improving quality of life and building stronger communities where Perdue associates live and work.

The Perdue Foundation awarded a $60,000 grant to the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation to bring new STEM programs to two Accomack County Elementary schools in rural Virginia. Pictured from left to right in the front row are Belinda Rippon, early childhood education coordinator, Dr. Rhonda Hall, assistant superintendent of instruction, Kim Nechay, executive director of the Perdue Foundation, Phyllis Smith, Kegotank Elementary School principal, and Stephanie Green, senior assistant director of Ripken Foundation programs. In back row are Chelsea Sharp, Kegotank assistant principal, Travis Punt, senior director of development for the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, John Custis, STEM Center initiative co-chair, and Chad McGregor, Kegotank assistant principal.

The Ripken Foundation announced in December it will bring STEM Centers to seven schools in both Accomack and Northampton counties thanks to $210,000 raised from various funders, including the Perdue Foundation. The Perdue grant will support Accawmacke Elementary and Kegotank Elementary schools in Accomack County.

“We are thrilled to be bringing these STEM Centers to seven schools in Virginia,” said Cal Ripken Jr., co-founder of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. “We’ve learned that getting STEM in front of kids in elementary and middle schools is critical. Thanks to great partners like Perdue Farms and community leaders, we are opening these STEM Centers at a rapid pace nationwide, and they are making a difference to students, teachers, and the schools.”

“STEM opportunities are lacking in many rural communities such as Accomack County. What the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation is bringing to the schools here is very exciting and much needed,” said Kim Nechay, executive director of the Perdue Foundation. “We at Perdue are honored to partner with them to make it happen. The educational tools these kids will now have access to are not only fun but state of the art. That’s very exciting for our community!”

About the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation
The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation helps to strengthen America’s most underserved and distressed communities by supporting and advocating for children, building Youth Development Parks and STEM Centers, partnering with law enforcement and youth-service agencies, and addressing community needs through its national program initiatives.

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