Industrial Supplier Grainger To Host Marine Families For Holiday Event
CHICAGO (Dec. 2, 2003) – More than 80 Marines and family members from Marine Air Control Group-48 (MACG-48) who participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom will be hosted by Grainger, the leading North American distributor of facilities maintenance products for a morning of holiday activities as recognition for doing their patriotic duty.
The event, entitled “Operation Candy Cane” will take place on Saturday, December 6, 2003, from 9:00 a.m. – noon C.S.T. at Grainger’s corporate headquarters in Lake Forest. The event will feature breakfast with Santa, a magic show and madrigal singers. Children will also have the opportunity to have their faces painted and will receive special presents donated by Grainger employees.
The Marine Air Control Group-48 (MACG-48) is based at Naval Station, Great Lakes, and consists of both active and reserve Marines. These Marines were deployed to the Middle East in February and provided command and control functions for operations from Kuwait to Baghdad.
“We’re thrilled that Grainger is opening their doors to the Marines and their families during this very special time of the year,” said Sgt. Maj. Thomas Smith. “It’s nice to know that our corporate neighbors support our troops throughout the year.”
Grainger has a long history of giving back to the communities in which it operates. In 2001 and 2002 the company and its employees hosted more than 100 sailors from the Great Lakes Naval Base for Thanksgiving dinner.
“Grainger is honored to host the Marine families for ‘Operation Candy Cane,’” said Wes Clark, Grainger President and Chief Operating Officer. “This event is a way for Grainger employees to say thank you to the men and women who give so much for our freedom.”
Members of the media wishing to cover this event should contact Erin Ptacek at Grainger, (847) 535-0587. Master Sgt. Beth Piccolo of Marine Communications Squadron-48 at (224) 627-1276 can provide additional information on the Marines.
About Grainger
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE: GWW), is the leading broad line supplier of facilities maintenance products in North America. Grainger serves customers through a network of nearly 600 branches, 17 distribution centers, and four Web sites. Sales for 2002 were $4.6 billion. For more information, visit Grainger online at www.grainger.com.