Contact:
(630) 820-4265
jude.nosek@keson.com
Peter
Wiltjer, PWMG, Inc.
(630) 701-3363
petew@pwmginc.com
Keson Donates Marking Chalk for U.S.
Service Members in Afghanistan
Tool manufacturer makes its mark
with U.S. troops that work to uncover and eliminate deadly IEDs
AURORA, IL,
July 29, 2011 – Keson Industries, a leading manufacturer and supplier of
innovative, high-quality, measuring and marking tools, announced that it is
supporting the 501c3 non-profit organization, TroopsDirect.org, by donating
chalk to be used by U.S. service members in Afghanistan for marking improvised
explosive devices (IEDs).
It has been reported that IED-related casualties and
injuries in Afghanistan have increased dramatically since 2009.
TroopsDirect was started by Aaron Negherbon with a simple care package to a
long-time friend who was a Marine Corps Captain deployed to Afghanistan. Now,
the organization serves American service members with up to two tons of needed
gear each month, including hygiene products, K9, nutritional and medical
support. TroopsDirect is located in San Ramon, Ca. and has been operating since
2010.
“Keson was thrilled
to help TroopsDirect in its mission of helping American service members by
donating two pallets-worth of blue chalk to our troops in Afghanistan,” said
Ron Nosek, chairman, Keson Industries.
That is
1,300 pounds of chalk, mostly blue (99 percent) with some other colors
included. This donation consists of a variety of 5 oz, 2 lb, 3 lb, and 5 lb
bottles of Keson’s Pro-Chalk Ultimate. Troops will use the donation for
marking and identifying IED lanes by temporarily discoloring IED locations with
marking chalk, then allowing troops and local residents to pass IEDs safely.
The chalk
was shipped from Keson’s Aurora headquarters to California on June 9, 2011,
courtesy of Roadrunner Transportation Services, and has already reached U.S. troops
in Afghanistan. This donation is serving a respective battalion of 1,000
service members on the front lines of Afghanistan.
“This
donation is consistent with our philosophy to ‘Make Your Mark’ in ways both
small and large,” said Nosek. “This American-made product will leave its mark
in a hugely effective way halfway across the globe.”
“The
donation of colored chalk is significant and will help minimize some of the
life-threatening risks taken on a daily basis by the dedicated men and women of
our armed services, the civilian contractors working with them, and the
non-combatant residents of Afghanistan,” said Negherbon, president and founder,
TroopsDirect. “Keson should be commended, as the simple act of marking an IED
location has huge potential to prevent serious injury and save lives of not
only our service members, but residents throughout Afghanistan.”
About
Keson Industries
Keson
Industries is a leading maker of measuring tools and devices, including chalk
boxes, long tapes, measuring wheels and tape measures. Since 1968, Keson has
proudly served professionals in a wide array of industries including construction, land surveying, paving, civil
engineering, carpentry, roofing,
irrigation, landscaping, traffic safety, athletic, appraisal/estimating, maintenance,
golf course design, mining and blasting,
and property insurance. Keson products are made for people who are passionate
about their work and getting it done right. For more information, go to www.keson.com.
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