HALO Branded Solutions (UPIC: HBS) has made a $5,000 donation to the Bill Schmidt, Sr. Scholarship through the Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF).

The scholarship was established with a $50,000 donation from Liz and CJ Schmidt. The Schmidt family, owners of Hit Promotional Products, established the perpetual scholarship in memory of Bill Schmidt, Sr., who passed away in April. A $1,000 Bill Schmidt, Sr. Scholarship will be awarded annually to a deserving student from the industry starting in 2017 and continuing in perpetuity. HALO is also a Tomorrow Fund donor with a commitment of $12,000 to PPEF.

Marc Simon, CEO of Sterling, Illinois-based HALO, says, “Our additional financial commitment to PPEF through the Bill Schmidt, Sr. Scholarship reflects our respect for a man and a family that have done great things to move our industry forward.”

PPEF was founded by industry leaders as a way to give back to the promotional products industry. PPEF offers college scholarships, ranging from $1,000 for one year to $8,000 over four years, to industry personnel and their children. Scholarships are available for all majors and are funded through contributions from companies and individuals within the industry. Since 1989, PPEF has awarded over $1.5 million in scholarships.