IP brightens community’s season with generous contributions
Published 1:51 pm Saturday, December 15, 2018
FRANKLIN
The night after International Paper employees donated 3,610 pounds of food to the Franklin Cooperative Ministry, they handed out checks to local organizations that serve the community at large.
From the International Paper Foundation, the IP Giving Team awarded $75,000 in support of 25 organizations/schools in the area. IP employees have also pledged to contribute $30,000 with a company match to the Franklin-Southampton United Way campaign.
The presentations took place on Nov. 29 during an employees/family event on the green-space across from the mill. Children who attended could make holiday crafts and even tell Santa Claus what they are wishing for this Christmas.
IP also gave another gift to Western Tidewater by “freshening up” its lighted tree and star atop on of the factory’s No. 6 Recovery Boiler. The former star was made heavy by its size and materials — 8 feet tall using 2-inch stainless steel pipe, and featuring 35 incandescent glass bulbs and the sockets and wiring taped and tied to pipes. Approximately 300 lights were replaced every year. The new one, though, weighs 96 pounds and uses 35 8.5 LED white lights. This will be lowered and stored after the holidays.