Several industry professionals and companies have committed their support to the Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF) through new pledges to its Tomorrow Fund and Named Scholarship program.

Supplier ADG Promotional Products has made an Iron-level donation to PPEF’s Tomorrow Fund, representing a $6,000 donation, or $1,000 per year for six years. The Tomorrow Fund is a long-term program established in 2000 to allow companies and individuals to pledge donations to PPEF and promote education and achievement within the promotional products industry. Pledges are made over a six-year period and several giving levels have been established for donors.

Two named scholarships have also been established with PPEF in memory of Lorraine Hempen, CAS, a former PPAI board member and an inductee into the Association’s Hall of Fame; and David Woods, MAS, PPAI board past-president and Hall of Fame inductee, and former CEO of distributor AIA. PPEF’s named scholarship—established in honor or memory of an individual or company—provides an outstanding student attending a two-year or four-year accredited undergraduate college or university a one-time award of $1,000 toward their education. Funded by PPAI and donations from the promotional products industry, the PPEF scholarship program enables youth and professionals to continue their education at the collegiate level.

“PPEF’s Named Scholarships were created as a way for donors to honor those who have made significant contributions to the industry or to the donor personally,” says Brian Porter, PPEF chair. “PPEF is thankful to the generous memorial donors and PPAI for funding these scholarships in honor of two industry icons like Lorraine Hempen and David Woods. Both Lorraine and David were firm believers in education, and we can’t think of a better way to honor their memories than providing scholarships for the next generation.”

Each of the named scholarships were funded by $2,500 in memorial donations from the industry which triggered a matching gift of $2,500 from the PPAI Board of Directors as part of the Hall of Fame recognition. A five-year named scholarship will be established for each. These will be awarded starting in May 2020 and run through 2024.