Health, Safety, Environment and Community Report 2004

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North America the Butler Manufacturing Company Foundation

In North America, the Company's community relations programs are primarily undertaken through the auspices of the Butler Manufacturing Company Foundation ("Foundation"). The Foundation was founded in 1952 as a non-profit organisation to support the charitable and cultural activities, and is administered by a Committee of Trustees.

Since 1952 the assets of the Foundation have accumulated as a result of ongoing contributions from Butler Manufacturing Company, and investment income earned.

In the 2003/04 financial year the Trustees of the Foundation approved charitable donations totalling more than US$400,000 to more than 200 donees, including matching grants.

The Foundation makes grants to United Way organisations to meet community needs across sixteen locations where the Company has operations. The Foundation also supports youth organisations committed to the education and social development of youth. Typical youth programs supported are Scouting organisations, Boys & Girls clubs and YMCAs. The Foundation also supports a range of arts organisations that have a cultural impact on a broad segment of communities where employees reside.

The Foundation provides two educational scholarship programs for the children of continuous full time employees of the Company. In the four-year program designed for children earning a baccalaureate degree, more than thirty students attending thirty different colleges received over US$80,000 in scholarships during 2003/04. Eight new four-year scholarships at US$2,500 each have been approved consistent with the program's objectives. In the two-year program, designed for children attending vocational/technical schools, junior and community colleges, eight students attending seven different schools received scholarships.

The Foundation's dollar for dollar Matching Gift Program continues to attract employees and retirees as a method of increasing their gifts to qualifying educational and cultural organisations.

A Community Service Award honours associates of the Company who willingly volunteer time and service to enhance the quality of life and the image of the Company in their communities.

Rebecca Sanchez, daughter of Rosa Sanchez, was awarded a four-year scholarship and Maria Valadez, daughter of Lilia Monroy, who was awarded a two-year scholarship. Rosa and Maria work with the Vistawall Architectural Products Group. The Butler Scholarship program rewards deserving students who are children of Butler Buildings and Vistawall employees with scholarships to pursue higher education.

Rebecca Sanchez, daughter of Rosa Sanchez, was awarded a four-year scholarship and Maria Valadez, daughter of Lilia Monroy, who was awarded a two-year scholarship. Rosa and Maria work with the Vistawall Architectural Products Group. The Butler Scholarship program rewards deserving students who are children of Butler Buildings and Vistawall employees with scholarships to pursue higher education.