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.”
Press Coverage
Daily Herald – August 8, 2011
Contractor Supply – July 29, 2011
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.