HUNTSVILLE, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PPG (NYSE:PPG) today announced the completion of a COLORFUL COMMUNITIES® project to revitalize the Saturn V rocket replica displayed at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC) in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. The project brought together approximately 150 employee volunteers from PPG, USSRC and Boeing, who spent a half day in March painting sections of the Saturn V replica and other highly visited areas around the center. The project continued through June with the support of professional contractors and was completed in advance of this week’s anniversary celebrations.
The Colorful Communities program provides PPG volunteers and paint products along with financial contributions to bring color and vitality to communities where the company operates around the world, such as in Huntsville, Alabama, where PPG operates an aerospace transparencies manufacturing facility.
The 1950s and 1960s represented a time of exploration and innovation in the United States. When President John F. Kennedy issued a challenge to land a man on the moon, Americans across the nation rose to the mission – especially in Huntsville. Often referred to as Rocket City U.S.A., Huntsville was key to the development of the propulsion systems on the Saturn V rocket that would take the U.S. to the moon. Today, the National Historic Landmark Saturn V and the stunning 363-foot-tall (111-meter-tall) Saturn V replica rocket at USSRC serve as regional icons and signify the entrepreneurial spirit ignited by mid-century space exploration.
“Visitors from around the world will visit Huntsville this month to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 first moon landing, and we are grateful to PPG for helping us restore our Saturn V replica to its full glory,” said Dr. Deborah Barnhart, CEO, USSRC. “We are in awe of the generous spirit of PPG’s employees and know their efforts will make a lasting impact on the center’s hundreds of thousands of guests each year.”
PPG provided approximately 340 gallons (1,287 liters) of specialized products from its protective and marine, aerospace and architectural coatings businesses to complete the project. The PPG Foundation also granted $15,000 to USSRC for AVIATION CHALLENGE® scholarships.
“At PPG, we know the powerful difference a fresh coat of paint and color can make in our homes, workplaces and schools. To experience the impact of fresh paint on such a monumental and historic structure as the Saturn V replica is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Tom Meyer, PPG plant manager, Huntsville. “We are proud to help carry the Saturn V replica into the future to inspire the next generation of explorers and scientists.”
The Colorful Communities program, PPG’s signature initiative for supporting communities, aims to protect and beautify the neighborhoods where PPG operates around the world. Through the Colorful Communities program, PPG’s committed volunteers contribute their time and PPG paint products to help transform community assets – from painting classrooms, to bringing color to a maternity ward and redesigning a playground. Since 2015, PPG has completed more than 200 Colorful Communities projects, impacting more than 5.2 million people in 30 countries.
PPG’s global community engagement efforts and the PPG Foundation aim to bring color and brightness to PPG communities around the world. We invested more than $9 million in 2018, supporting hundreds of organizations across 28 countries. By investing in educational opportunities, we help grow today’s skilled workforce and develop tomorrow’s innovators in fields related to coatings and manufacturing. Plus, we empower PPG employees to multiply their impact for causes that are important to them by supporting their volunteer efforts and charitable giving. Learn more at www.ppgcommunities.com.
About U.S. Space & Rocket Center
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is home to SPACE CAMP®, Space Camp Robotics, Aviation Challenge and U.S. Cyber Camp as well as the Apollo 16 capsule, the National Historic Landmark Saturn V rocket and world-class traveling exhibits. USSRC is the Official Visitor Center for NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and a showcase for national defense technologies developed at the U.S. Army’s Redstone Arsenal. To learn more about the exciting programs and activities at the USSRC, go to www.rocketcenter.com.
PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD™
At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and materials that our customers have trusted for more than 135 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $15.4 billion in 2018. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.
We protect and beautify the world is a trademark and Colorful Communities and the PPG Logo are registered trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
Aviation Challenge, Space Camp and U.S. Space & Rocket Center are registered trademarks of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.