BASF and DEQ support disabled kids during annual ‘Day of Caring’
Outing features canoe rides and picnic at Tickfaw State Park

TICKFAW, La. May 18, 2006 -- Kids at the McMains Children’s Developmental Center in Baton Rouge enjoyed a beautiful spring day last Saturday while taking scenic canoe rides and picnicking at Tickfaw State Park during an annual event organized and sponsored by employees of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and BASF’s Geismar site. 

The event has become an annual tradition for the McMains Children’s Developmental Center, which provides services for children with disabilities. The outing was part of the United Way’s “Day of Caring” program under which volunteers work with local United Way agencies on a wide range of community projects.

“The children and everyone involved always have a great time at this annual outing,” said Janet Ketcham, Executive Director of the McMains Center. “We really appreciate the hard work put in by our volunteers and corporate and government sponsors.”

Besides the employee volunteers, BASF’s Geismar site provides a jambalaya lunch and  refreshments for the children, parents and others who participate in the outing. Al Hindrichs, an environmental scientist at the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, is a longtime coordinator of the project.

“The smiles on the kids’ faces tell the whole story,” said Hindrichs. “We’re grateful to BASF and all our volunteers who make this event a big success every year.”

Jane Reilley, Accounting Manager at BASF’s Geismar site and a member of the McMains Center’s Board of Directors, and Jay Gross, a Training Coordinator at BASF’s Geismar site, helped coordinate the event.

“The McMains Center does a great job of helping improve the lives of the children,” Reilley said. “The great effort they put into making the outing a success demonstrates how dedicated they are to serving the kids.”

Gross, who has volunteered and helped organize the event for several years, said everyone enjoys the outing.

“It’s hard to tell who gets a bigger kick out of it, the volunteers or the kids. The canoe rides give the children an opportunity to see and enjoy the beauty of our state,” said Gross.

The McMains Children’s Developmental Center has been providing services for children with cerebral palsy since 1954. It has grown to provide physical, speech and educational therapy, social and psychological services, and language development classes for children with autism, speech and learning disabilities.

BASF’s Geismar site manufactures a wide range of products that are used in hundreds of consumer products.

For more information, contact:

Helen Cane
BASF
Tel: (225) 339-7207
E-mail: caneh@basf.com

Maureen Paukert
BASFTel: (973) 245-6077
E-mail: paukerm@basf.com