PPB October 2017

T he promotional products industry has a long and distinguished past, and the professionals and companies working in it are building toward the future with their support of the Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF). This fall, 117 students around the country will start the school year at universities and colleges across North America, backed by the generosity and foresight of generous PPEF donors. PPEF scholarships answer what is often a pressing concern for families navigating their children’s future. Lori Bauer, PPEF chair, notes that “the cost of a college education keeps increasing, and students and their families are having to make tough choices about schools and careers due to growing student debt.” Bauer, vice president of national accounts at BIC Graphic, says that the work of PPEF and the industry volunteers and donors who support it is intended to ease that burden as much as possible, and to expand access to higher education to more of those pursuing it. “PPEF scholarships are available to all industry personnel and their children,” she says. “We are seeing more students listing parents with jobs such as machine operator, silk-screen printer and other back-end functions. The promotional products industry could not operate without these valued employees, and PPEF scholarships are just one way to reward these individuals for their hard work.” This year, PPEF is awarding $175,000 in scholarships, a milestone driven by the industry’s generosity. While the 2017 total represents a 75-percent increase over 2013, the foundation’s volunteers aren’t resting on their laurels. Wayne Greenberg, MAS, PPEF chair-elect, says, “While I am thrilled to see these scholarship winners succeed, it reminds me of the scores of other applicants who weren’t as lucky. We have more work to do to see that there are funds available through PPEF so even more deserving students can be helped as well.” PPAI and PPEF’s industry patrons have a long-standing commitment of service to the promotional products industry, and this fund supports those who demonstrate the same commitment. And while helping to change families’ economic situations through education, PPEF scholarships also highlight the best of the industry. Bauer says, “Long term, the industry benefits by exposing this next generation to promotional products and their value. Whether it’s a career choice or simply the good will that this industry provided to themwith education assistance, it is a positive message they carry with them and, hopefully, also outwardly present to others.” Ultimately, PPEF scholarships recognize the accomplishments of industry members and their families. Greenberg, president of JB of Florida, a Division of Geiger, adds, “I am always truly amazed at the achievement by our scholastic winners. They have worked hard and excelled at this high level. Winners all, they make me proud to watch their growth and maturation over the life of their scholarships. Reading their applications is a joy.” PPEF annually awards both one-time and recurring scholarships. One-time awards include named scholarships, which are $1,000 awards, and PPEF’s one- year scholarships are either $1,000 (merit- based) or $2,000 (need-based) awards. The foundation’s Chairman’s Scholarships award $5,000 disbursed over two years and the four-year scholarships award $4,000 (merit-based) or $8,000 (need-based) over four years. MAKING THE MOST OF PPEF Since 1989, PPEF has awarded $1,1742,000 in college scholarships to 1,013 students. The scholarships awarded are determined through a competitive application process with recipients announced at the end of May each year. Scholarships are open to full- time promotional products industry employees or their dependent children, and are available for undergraduate education only, except for the Friends of PPMN Scholarship which may be used for undergraduate or graduate level coursework. The foundation is completely funded by companies and individuals in the promotional products industry, while PPAI provides administrative support. Individuals interested in supporting PPEF can make a personal donation, establish an honorary or memorial gift, or join the PPEF Century Club. The foundation is also supported through the Tomorrow Fund, a long-term program that allows companies and individuals to pledge donations annually for up to a six-year period. PPEF received $88,000 in new Tomorrow Fund pledges in 2016 and has received $228,000 so far in 2017. PPEF Scholarship Recipients 2017 | FEATURE | OCTOBER 2017 | 63