St. Charles Operations employees donated nearly $250,000 to the United Way through individual contributions and site events such as the golf tournament and the jambalaya cook-off during the 2004-2005 campaign! Along with the company contribution, Dow and its employees will donate $300,154 to the United Way - money that will directly benefit the local communities in this area.

Compared to last year's United Way campaign, an 11 percent increase of employees participated this year and employees increased donations in amount per capita by 16 percent. There was also a 30 percent increase in leadership givers - employees at the site who donated $1,000 per year or more! The increased enthusiasm and participation in this year's campaign resulted in almost a $30,000 increase in employee donations compared to last year.

James Elder, St. Charles Operations United Way Campaign Chair, said, "I would like to thank all the employees who contributed to this very worthwhile cause so that United Way agencies can continue to help our community. I would also like to thank all the employees who donated their time and talent to make this year's United Way campaign a success. Through individual contributions and volunteer participation in site events, including the golf tournament and the jambalaya cook-off, St. Charles Operations employees demonstrated that we truly believe in 'people helping people' and that we can make a difference in our community."

Nawzer Parakh, St. Charles Operations Site Leader, applauded the efforts of St. Charles Operations employees that made this a successful campaign. "Our generous and caring employees make this sort of amazing gift to the community possible. Because of the people at St. Charles Operations, the community - our friends and neighbors - will greatly benefit from this donation."

Dow is a leader in science and technology, providing innovative chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to many essential consumer markets. With annual sales of $33 billion, Dow serves customers in more than 180 countries and a wide range of markets that are vital to human progress, including food, transportation, health and medicine, personal and home care, and building and construction, among others. Committed to the principles of sustainable development, Dow and its approximately 46,000 employees seek to balance economic, environmental and social responsibilities. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. St. Charles Operations is owned by Union Carbide Corporation, which is a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company.