Kirovo-Chepetsk, Kirov Region, Russia – 13 December, 2013. In the run up to the New Year, URALCHEM made a charitable donation of school buses to orphanages in the Kirov Region.

The initiative to help children's institutions in the Kirov Region was the idea of Dmitry Mazepin, Chairman of the Board of Directors URALCHEM, OJSC, and Deputy of the Kirov Region Legislative Assembly. The donation was a response to the significant need that orphanages and boarding schools in the region had for transportation. School buses were given to 19 educational institutions for orphans and children left without parental care. More than 1,700 children attend these schools.

This is not Dmitry Mazepin’s first charitable initiative in the Kirov Region. In 2012, at his suggestion, URALCHEM supported 70 Kirov low-income large families (with five or more children) and purchased LADA-Grant cars for them.

Mr Mazepin commented on the initiative, “URALCHEM has always been eager to help solve the most pressing problems of the regions in which its businesses operate. As a Deputy, I know very well that lack of support for children and children's institutions is a serious problem for the Kirov Region. Last year, under a special program "URALCHEM for Children", we supported large families. This year we are helping orphanages. In the future, we intend to continue these important and necessary activities.”

Sergey Momtselidze, Director of URALCHEM’s branch in Kirovo-CHepetsk, and Deputy of the Kirov Region Legislative Assembly, added, “Our plant in Kirovo-Chepetsk and the Kirov Region cooperate very closely in the social sphere. For us, as the largest enterprise in the region, social responsibility is an integral part of our activities. We regularly finance various children's and youth programs in education, culture and healthy lifestyle. Our new initiative is a continuation of this work.”

URALCHEM spent more than 15 million roubles on the purchase of the buses. The vehicles are made to a special configuration and colour, based on the “Gazelle” brand buses. They fully meet modern requirements for transporting children. The buses have 12 seats, additional heating, external and internal speakerphone, intercoms to the driver, and other features. As an extra treat, URALCHEM loaded the buses with Christmas gifts for the 1,700 orphanage school children.

At a special ceremony in the local cultural and entertainment centre, he keys to the buses were handed over to the educational establishments. The children then attended a New Year show at which Deputies of the Kirov Region Legislative Assembly representing URALCHEM and representatives of the Kirov Region Government gave them their season’s greetings.