Southern & Gulf Coast Division

Tuscaloosa Quarry Shows Support During Testing

     The Tuscaloosa, AL Quarry sponsored T-shirts for students who completed the Standard Achievement Testing at Vance Elementary School. The school exceeded its goals in every category and was in the top tier in the Tuscaloosa County school system. The plant also sponsored a lunch for teachers and staff during testing week.

Central Services Adopt Brighton Elementary

     The Central Services Department adopted Brighton Elementary School located in West Jefferson County, Alabama in November 2005. During the first two months, employees read to first and third grade classes on four different occasions. On December 3, 2005 several representatives from Central Services participated in a clean-up day by clearing the grounds around the playground fence and making necessary improvements to the facility. On December 13, 2005, Bill Byrd represented VMC at a family reading night, by providing books to the students through the Vulcan Foundation. On January 4, 2006, Vulcan provided lunch for staff members returning from the holidays to prepare for the new year.

During 2007 Vulcan:

• Read to kindergarten students on a weekly basis.
• Added the support of weekly math tutoring for 4th grade students.
• Provided lunch for returning staff during the holidays and at the end of the school year.
• Hosted a quarry tour for the 3rd grade classes at our Dolcito Quarry.
• Funded transportation for the 4th grade field trip to the Chattanooga Aquarium.
• Participated in career day activies.
• Provided office supplies (copy paper, hanging files, etc.)

FOX 6 and Vulcan Team Up to Help Local Schools

     April 1, 2006 was no day for practical jokes; it was a day for helping schools in the Birmingham area. Local television station FOX 6, Vulcan Materials Company and Marvin's Building Products teamed up to help five area schools put a new face on their respective campuses. The Dolcito and Helena, AL quarries donated a combined total of over 600 tons of stone for landscaping, erosion control and improved parking areas at the schools. The Vulcan Foundation made donations to each of the five schools: Crumly Chapel Elementary, Greenwood Elementary, Hillview Elementary, Hueytown Middle, and North Highland Elementary schools. Vulcan has been a leading sponsor of three Fox 6 Helping Schools events, providing materials and Foundation founds to 15 Jefferson County, AL Schools.

Grand Rivers Quarry Recognized for Conservation Efforts

     Grand Rivers, AR employees have received international recognition for their contributions to wildlife habitat conservation, notably for reintroducing American bison to a section of the property returned to native prairie habitat. Workers were honored at the Wildlife Habitat Council's 17th Annual Symposium in Baltimore, Maryland. The quarry was one of 143 sites recognized at the Grand Rivers symposium for creating a habitat program. Vulcan has a total of 38 certified wildlife habitats nationwide, more than any US industrial company.

     The bison herd is doing well, and nine new calves were born recently. They are an attraction for the nearby Livingston County Trails System and Wildlife Viewing Area. A large community of volunteers and employees manage 800 of the site's 2,500 acres for wildlife habitat. Workers perform various wildlife enhancements, including the creation of brush piles and food plots for quail, turkey, deer, and rabbit while protecting species from poachers. The wildlife team also added a nest box monitoring program for geese, bluebirds, wood ducks, and purple martins.

     Wildlife team members work with teachers to develop science class tours focusing on wildlife habitat and other aspects of ecology. A nature trail was constructed to accommodate the tours, and an unused building was turned into an environmental education center.

Efforts that Strengthen Vulcan's Commitment to Education Shape the Future of the Community

     Each year children from the entire third-grade class at A. H. Watwood Elementary School tour the Childersburg, AL Plant. This provides students the opportunity to see the workplace firsthand and to relate their studies to experiences outside the school environment. Each Childersburg employee plays a role in making this a unique opportunity to bring a positive, highly memorable learning experience to students.

Helena Quarry Receives Top Honor from NSSGA

     On March 27, 2006, employees of the Helena, AL quarry celebrated receiving the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association's Three Stars of Excellence Award. This award recognizes an operation that has achieved the highest level of plant beautification (Showplace 2001), community relations (Pinnacle 2004), and environmental excellence (Eagle 2005). The Helena Quarry is the first Vulcan operation to receive this three-star designation.

Cat in the Hat Visits Helena Elementary School

     Helena, AL Quarry employees gave Helena Elementary students and faculty a lot to purr about during Read Across America Day, celebrated on March 2, 2006. Vulcan's own Cat in the Hat made appearances throughout the school in honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday. Employees also visited the school to read a selection of Dr. Seuss stories to the students. To finish the day off in true Adopt-a-School fashion, the Helena quarry readers presented the principal with a check from the Vulcan Foundation to be used toward improvements in the school's library.