SPRINGFIELD, LA, May 5, 2008 – Kids from the McMains Children’s Developmental Center in Baton Rouge and their families recently enjoyed a day of canoeing and picnicking at Tickfaw State Park with volunteers from BASF’s Geismar site and other organizations.

The April 26 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. Volunteers from BASF, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) and other organizations took children, their families and staff from the center on canoe trips along scenic Gum Bayou, which runs through a bottomland hardwood swamp and is home to a variety of native plants and wildlife.

The event has become a spring tradition for the McMains Children’s Developmental Center, which provides services to children with disabilities.

“It’s always a fun event for the children and volunteers,” said Janet Ketcham, Executive Director of the McMains Center. “We’re truly appreciative of the time and work put in by our volunteers and sponsors.”

In addition to the employee volunteers, BASF’s Geismar site and the LDEQ provided a jambalaya lunch and cold drinks to children, parents and others who participated. The park waived admission fees for the volunteers and children, and also provided the canoes and picnic pavilion free of charge.

“Seeing the kids’ smiling faces is truly what makes the event worthwhile,” said Al Hindrichs, an environmental scientist at the LDEQ and longtime organizer of the event. “We’re grateful to BASF and all of our volunteers who make an event like this possible.”

Mike Cohen, Senior Vice President and General Manager at BASF’s Geismar site, and Jay Gross, a Training Coordinator at BASF’s Geismar site, helped coordinate this year’s event.

“Helping children and enjoying the beautiful Louisiana outdoors is a wonderful  way to spend a spring afternoon,” said Cohen. “The McMains Center does a great job of helping these children, and we thank our employees, their families and other volunteers who came and contributed to an enjoyable afternoon.”

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 chemicals used in hundreds of consumer products.

BASF - The Chemical Company. We don't make a lot of the products you buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better.®

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 15,000 employees in North America, and had sales of approximately $16.4 billion in 2007. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from oil and gas to chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals. As a reliable partner, BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges, such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF has more than 95,000 employees and posted sales of almost €58 billion in 2007. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.