This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Business & Tech

Vulcan Quarry in McCook Gets National Award for Community Relations

Company worked with Environmental Club at Cossitt Avenue Schol.

Vulcan Material Co.’s quarry in McCook has received the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association Silver Award for Excellence in Community Relations, which included the company partnering with the Environmental Club at Cossitt Avenue School in La Grange.

 Jeff May, Vulcan’s regional manager, in a press release said, “Our products are in the roads we drive on. They helped build the schools our children learn in and the offices where a lot of our neighbors work. But we partner with the community to help strengthen the community’s spirit, too. And in a lot of ways, that’s just important, may be even more.”

The McCook Quarry is especially involved with educational programs, particularly environmental ones.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Through its partnership with the Cossitt Elementary Environmental Club, the McCook Quarry demonstrated how values being fostered in school initiatives like the Environmental Club are also a growing part of responsible businesses in the area.

"My favorite part was definitely learning about how many pounds of everything that Vulcan recycles,” said one Environmental Club member. “I thought it was amazing at how much they can do."

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

In 2009, the McCook Quarry recycled 1,108 light bulbs, 175 pounds of computer monitors, 87 pounds of batteries and 1,563 pounds of plastic bottles, cans and paper.

According to May, the McCook Quarry’s role in the community is not only to lead by example, but also help strengthen other members of the community as well.

In addition to its education initiatives, the McCook Quarry also partners with senior citizen programs, youth programs, local chambers of commerce, local business associations and neighboring municipalities.

As part of its Annual Scout Day, the McCook Quarry hosts more than 100 Webelos from the Des Plaines Valley Council. Members of the McCook Quarry team lead them through a series of stations and lessons that include Geology 101, a fossil hunt and a quarry tour.

 “We think it’s important we show our community’s kids what we’re all about,” said May. “When they come here and see what’s going on, they get excited about opportunities right here in their own neighborhood, opportunities they might not have known existed.”

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?