The Pines Community Center Serves People of All Ages in the Tilton-Northfield Community

3M’s Tilton plant capped off a remarkable year of charitable giving with the completion of the Pines Community Roofing project. With a generous donation from the St. Paul parent organization, the Pines Community Center was finally able to initiate and complete their much needed roof replacement project. The Pines was but one of several grants awarded in the Lakes Region this year – as the local plant’s Community Affairs Team was highly successful in competing on behalf of local organizations for grant money.

There are several pools of funds to draw from each year as part of the global corporation’s charitable giving program. The individual plants have control over a very small amount of funds but larger pools of funds are up for grabs if you know where to look and can find community groups actively supporting charitable giving initiatives. Those initiatives include working with premier groups positively impacting climate change and biodiversity, fostering healthy youth development, encouraging youth participation in math and sciences, and encouraging the arts. In 2010 3M brought close to half a million dollars into the Northern New England region alone out of some $60 million in cash and product donations globally.

“On the local level it many times comes down to the level of commitment of the community supporting the efforts of the local 3M plant,” added Barry Livingstone, Tilton’s community affairs secretary. “In particular relative to the Pines grant, 3M’s corporate charitable giving team was moved by the two towns’ (Tilton and Northfield) voters – who insisted on keeping the Pines budget intact when it was in jeopardy last budget season. Community commitment matters at the corporate level,” he added. The $15,000 Pines grant represents the largest cash award to date secured by the Tilton plant for the community.

Outside the scope of the overall corporate giving, Tilton’s 3M employees also volunteered at several local organizations. Participation in volunteering activities is encouraged for 3M employees and the local plant participated in activities such as a trail cleanup, performing arts programs, and also held food drives for local food pantries and an animal shelter. “3M employees care a great deal about their community,” Livingstone added.

About The Pines Community Center:
The Tilton-Northfield Recreation Council, formed in 1954, was founded on and continues to be committed to the ideas of enriching peoples lives through recreation and social activities. At the Pines Community Center and throughout the communities of Tilton and Northfield NH, the council strives to provide the community with programs that are mentally, physically and socially challenging for all.

About 3M:
A recognized leader in research and development, 3M produces thousands of innovative products for dozens of diverse markets. 3M’s core strength is applying its more than 40 distinct technology platforms – often in combination – to a wide array of customer needs. With $23 billion in sales, 3M employs 75,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com, or follow @3MNews on Twitter.