LEOMINSTER, MASS. — The National Plastics Center and Museum has received nearly $600,000 for its outreach program and updating its facility, including installation of an elevator.
The outreach program, PlastiVan No. 2, is part of an education program geared to U.S. and Canadian students from third grade through 12th grade. It teaches students and teachers about the chemistry, history, processing and environmental issues of plastics.
The second van has been purchased and equipped. It will run for one year making its debut at the Kennedy School in Springfield, Mass. The outreach program costs $125,000 for the year.
The National Plastics Center and Museum would like to purchase five or six vans during the next five years.
The rest of the donated money will be used to install an elevator in the museum, triple exhibit space and update present exhibits.
So far, Robert Hoffer Sr., president of Hoffer Plastics in South Elgin, Ill., has donated $300,000. Robert Schad, former member of the Board of Governors and president of Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd. of Bolton, Ontario, supplied $100,000.
Founding board Chairman Gordon Lankton, president of Nypro Inc. of Clinton, Mass., contributed $50,000; Ernest Oskin of Huron Plastics in St. Clair, Mich., also a board member, gave $25,000. In addition, the local board of directors has received pledges totaling $20,000 from area businesses and individuals.