Vulcan Materials Company’s Charitable Foundation has made a $25,000, 5-year pledge to Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham on behalf of its Rockingham Quarry employees and families.

The gift, which will benefit the children’s museum under development in Richmond County, was presented at a formal check presentation on Nov. 9 at the quarry site in Rockingham with representatives from both organizations in attendance.

“Supporting educational programs is one example of Vulcan’s commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen in the communities in which we operate,” said Charles Heatherly, plant manager for Vulcan’s Rockingham location. “Our Rockingham Quarry facility and its employees have played an integral role in the education of Richmond County students since 1985. Supporting Discovery Place KIDS is a natural extension of our educational and stewardship initiatives and we look forward to being a part of their exciting programs in this community.”

Vulcan, which won a Corporate Sustainability Award in 2010, provides essential infrastructure materials required by the U.S. economy while balancing sound economic, environmental and social responsibility practices, say company officials. Thousands of Richmond County elementary students have toured the Rockingham Quarry since its 1985 opening and had the opportunity to explore geology and earth science while observing the quarry’s certified wildlife habitat.

“Vulcan’s initiative to make community outreach and appreciation for natural resources so central to its mission is a model to be emulated,” said John Mackay, president and CEO of Discovery Place, Inc. “These generous employees and shareholders are helping to set the stage for years of engaging learning opportunities for children in this region.”

The check presentation took place on Wednesday at the Vulcan quarry site located at 353 Galestown Road in Rockingham. Attendees from Vulcan included Denise Hallett, community affairs manager, Dave Ford, area sales manager, and Rodney Hobbs, area operations manager. Discovery Place, Inc. representatives included Neal Cadieu, campaign co-chair, Butch Farrah, corporate committee member, John Mackay, president and CEO, Teri Lemons, campaign counsel, Julia Allen, vice president, Advancement, and Alison DeCinti, campaign manager, Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham.

Designed as an adventure in learning and creative play for young children, Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham will be a safe, hands-on children’s museum designed to meet specific early childhood learning needs, while also strengthening family and community relationships to better prepare children to become valuable and contributing members of society. Currently under development, the museum is to be located in downtown Rockingham in the former McKenzie Furniture Building, and could open as early as winter 2013.