Interns from Koch Industries Volunteer at Rainbows United to Help Build Outdoor Classroom

WICHITA, Kan., July 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Summer interns from Koch Industries, Inc. donned jeans, T-shirts and sneakers on Thursday, June 25, 2009, to help with landscaping at Kids’ Point, the new Rainbows United, Inc. facility in northeast Wichita.

“This project was a lot of fun and Rainbows is such a worthwhile cause,” said Lauren O’Reilly of Springfield, Mo., one of approximately 50 Koch companies’ interns that helped prepare the grounds at the Rainbows campus for development of the first certified outdoor classroom in Kansas. The classroom will be designed to stimulate imaginative play with sensitivity to natural environments and nature-based education.

“Volunteers are critical to a lot of what we do at Rainbows United,” said Lorraine A. Dold, president/CEO Rainbows United, Inc. “It’s wonderful to have this group from our good friends at Koch Industries helping us create this innovative outdoor learning environment for young children.”

“Each summer, we try to pick a project or two that provides volunteer opportunities for our interns,” said Susan Addington, community relations manager for Koch companies. “We proposed several ideas to the students this year, and Rainbows United was their top pick.” She added that Koch companies’ employees have helped in similar projects in several communities.

Rainbows United enhances the lives of children with varied abilities and needs through customized services designed in partnership with families. Kids Point, the agency’s new 26,000-square-foot northeast center, provides classrooms, therapy space, and an assessment center to accommodate young children of all abilities.

Koch Industries, Inc. donated 10 acres of land for the new facility and the outdoor learning center. In addition, the Fred C. and Mary R. Koch Foundation donated $50,000 to the agency’s capital campaign. Beginning in July, volunteers from the Junior League of Wichita will begin a year-long project to help complete the outdoor classroom.

“Koch Industries is a strong supporter of Rainbows, so we are glad our interns pitched in to help this organization,” said Erika Vidricksen, college recruiting coordinator for Koch Industries. “We’re especially pleased to be involved in creating Rainbows’ new outdoor classroom, a great resource for helping young children explore science and the environment.”

With facilities located throughout the Wichita area, Rainbows United provides center-based, community-based and home-based services for young children of all abilities. Service components include hearing and vision specialty services, respite care for individuals across the life span, case management services, supported family living, foster care for children with special needs, outpatient therapies, and therapeutic childcare.

Based in Wichita, Koch Industries, Inc. (http://www.kochind.com) owns a diverse group of companies involved in refining and chemicals; process and pollution control equipment and technologies; minerals; fertilizers; fibers and polymers; commodity and financial trading and services; and forest and consumer products. With approximately $100 billion in revenues, 70,000 employees and a presence in nearly 60 countries, Koch Industries is one of the largest private companies in America according to Forbes magazine.

SOURCE Koch Industries, Inc.