PPG Industries announced the completion of a COLORFUL COMMUNITIES project to help revitalize the auditorium at Mahatma Gandhi secondary school in San Juan del Rio, Queretaro, Mexico, as part of its global charitable-giving effort. The Colorful Communities program provides PPG employee volunteers and products to bring color and vitality to communities where the company operates around the world. Launched earlier this year, the program increases PPG’s commitment to invest in communities by adding $10 million to support efforts made during a 10-year period.

The project brought together more than 50 volunteers – PPG employees from the San Juan del Rio coatings manufacturing plant and their families – who used more than 1,500 liters (about 396 gallons) of paint products by PPG to beautify the auditorium. While PPG volunteers completed the revitalization project at the school, students learned from PPG experts about the company’s efforts to minimize waste and to ensure safety procedures at its facilities.

“An essential part of the PPG philosophy is to support the communities where we have a presence and where we as employees live,” said Stan Zaharewicz, PPG operations director at the San Juan del Rio facility. “The commitment of our company to San Juan del Río is reflected in the dedication our staff members have shown in support of this initiative and in the teamwork they exhibited through their volunteer efforts to make this project a success. We look forward to completing additional Colorful Communities projects locally in the future.”

PPG’s San Juan del Rio facility makes products such as waterborne coatings, powder coatings, and low-volatile organic compound (low-VOC) coatings and paints. The PPG Colorful Communities initiative aims to enhance, protect and beautify the neighborhoods where the company operates. Together with community partners and PPG employee volunteers, the program supports projects that transform community assets using donated PPG products. The Colorful Communities program is currently engaged with a number of communities and expects to complete more than 14 projects in 2015 in North America, South America, Europe and Asia.

The Colorful Communities program is PPG’s signature initiative for its community engagement efforts. In 2014, PPG and the PPG Industries Foundation donated more than $5.7 million to hundreds of community organizations across 24 countries around the world. These investments focused on: education programs that teach young people skills needed to succeed in studies and careers related to science, technology, engineering and math, such as jobs in advanced manufacturing; revitalization programs for buildings and community spaces; and organizations important to employees through grant and matching-funds programs.

PPG Industries and the PPG Industries Foundation aim to create brighter, more colorful communities where PPG has a presence around the world. By investing in educational opportunities, we help grow today’s skilled workforce and develop tomorrow’s innovators in industries related to coatings and specialty materials. With the support of our workforce, financial contributions and PPG products, we help revitalize our communities. Plus, we empower PPG employees to make an impact for causes that are important to them by supporting their volunteer efforts and charitable giving. Learn more at www.ppgcommunities.com.