Wheelabrator Technologies Inc./Waste Management, Inc. Donate $15,000 to "Support Our Submarine"
Portsmouth NH (October 10, 2008) - As New Hampshire counts down the days to the commissioning of the USS New Hampshire on October 25, the fund-raising effort to ensure a world-class community celebration is gaining momentum. Wheelabrator Technologies Inc. and its parent company, Waste Management, Inc. have just put $15,000 toward the effort, joining the "Support Our Submarine" crew as Presenting Sponsors.
Thanks to a persistent letter-writing campaign by Dover schoolchildren, the New Hampshire Congressional delegation and Governor Lynch convinced the Secretary of the Navy that it was time once again to float the proud name USS NEW HAMPSHIRE. The submarine New Hampshire (SSN-778) was christened on June 21, 2008, the 220th anniversary of New Hampshire's statehood and the ratification of the US Constitution making the states a nation. The commissioning is an event steeped in US Navy tradition and a day to celebrate the submarine and the state of New Hampshire.
"Wheelabrator and Waste Management are proud to be Presenting Sponsors for the community celebration of the USS New Hampshire Community Commissioning Committee. This celebration is special for we are saluting the officers and crew of 'our' submarine, the USS New Hampshire," said Mark A. Weidman, president of Wheelabrator Technologies. "Throughout both of our companies' history, we have been committed to supporting the communities in which our customers and employees work and live, and this is just one example. And what better way to give back then to stand behind the Dover schoolchildren who lobbied for the ships new name - 'New Hampshire.'"
Waste Management, Inc., based in Houston, Texas, is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America. Through its subsidiaries, the company provides collection, transfer, recycling and resource recovery and disposal services. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Waste Management, Wheelabrator Technologies Inc. owns and/or operates 16 waste-to-energy facilities and five independent power production facilities. Wheelabrator's 21 facilities have a combined electric generating capacity of 836 megawatts, enough energy to power more 900,000 homes. Wheelabrator's waste-to-energy facilities have a solid waste disposal capacity of 21,340 tons per day, as much trash as disposed of daily by more than nine million people.
"Because the New Hampshire's construction schedule set an astounding new construction record by being delivered 14 months ahead of schedule we have had a very short time to raise the funds needed for an appropriate Commissioning Celebration for the USS New Hampshire," said Community Commissioning Committee Finance Chair Mike Daigle. "We thank Wheelabrator Technologies. and Waste Management for their generous support as $15,000 Presenting Sponsors. There is still time for other companies and individuals to follow their example and come on board as one of the USS New Hampshire's official hosts."
The Committee estimates the cost of the community celebration will be approximately $300,000, based on the experience of other cities that have hosted US Navy Commissioning events. Sponsorships are available at many levels, from $25,000 Marquis Sponsors to $3 donations from individuals who receive an Official USS New Hampshire Commissioning Celebration button in return. Visit www.ussnewhampshire.org and click on "Support Our Submarine" or for more information about USS NEW HAMPSHIRE Commissioning Celebration sponsorship opportunities, call Mike Daigle at 603-778-8985 or email mdaigle@datarisk.com
The USS New Hampshire Commissioning Committee operates under the auspices of the Navy League of New Hampshire, Portsmouth NH Council, a 501(c)3 organization. Your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by IRS regulations. Tax ID#51-0668823
Events
10/19 USS New Hampshire arrived in Portsmouth 11:15 am
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Thru 11/2 Scarecrows of the Port Festival
Downtown merchants present first annual "Scarecrows in the Port" harvest festival, commissioning celebration and welcome to the crew and their families.
10/25/2008 US Navy Commissioning Ceremony, 10 am
10/27/2008 USS New Hampshire departs, 12:20 pm