3M honored for long-term support of ATSS Foundation

3M honored for long-term support of ATSS Foundation

Ambassador Award recognizes decade-plus commitment through TZD Pledge Wall

The ATSS Foundation presented 3M with the Ambassador Award during ATSSA’s recent Convention.

For 11 years, 3M has supported the ATSS Foundation through its annual Toward Zero Deaths Pledge Wall, which runs from New Year’s Day through ATSSA’s Annual Convention & Traffic Expo.

The 3M TZD Pledge Wall has been a fixture at ATSSA’s Convention & Traffic Expo for 11 years.

This year, the Foundation recognized that decade-plus commitment by presenting 3M with its Ambassador Award, which recognizes individuals, companies and organizations that exceed expectations in their support for the Foundation and its core purpose of promoting roadway safety through charitable giving and public awareness programs.

“3M’s partnership has been a tremendous help to the ATSS Foundation’s ability to carry out its work in increasing attention to roadway safety and aiding the dependents of roadway workers killed or permanently disabled in work zones,” said Foundation Director Lori Diaz. “The Foundation Board felt this long-term generosity deserved special recognition.”[

With this year’s TZD Pledge Wall, 3M has raised $211,949.34 for the Foundation over the 11-year program.

Peter Johnston, third from right, accepts the Ambassador Award from the ATSS Foundation. Pictured from left are, ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner, Foundation Board Chair Cecil Brown, former Chair Kevin Shelton, Board Vice Chair Juan Arvizu and Foundation Director Lori Diaz.

Peter Johnston, with 3M’s Transportation Safety Division, and a long-term member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, said 3M’s assistance “reflects the dedication of our employees, partners and customers who believe in supporting something bigger than ourselves.”

He added that 3M and the Foundation have a shared mission and one that is deeply personal: “helping bring families home safely.”

“The ATSS Foundation advances that same mission by investing in education, scholarships and the next generation of leaders in our industry because safety isn’t just about products,” Johnston said in accepting the award. “It’s about people. It’s about training, leadership and ensuring the professionals who design and protect our roadways are equipped to make a difference.”

Foundation programs include the National Work Zone Memorial and three scholarships – the Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship, the Chuck Bailey Memorial Scholarship and the Marty Weed Engineering Scholarship. They also include youth programs such as the Work Zone Activity Book and the Teen Driver Program, a free online course geared to teens and new drivers.

This year, 3M raised $20,877 including the company’s $5,000 sponsorship of the program and its $5,000 match.

The Pledge Wall started at ATSSA’s 2016 Convention in New Orleans as a physical wall that used 3M’s iconic Post-it notes for people to make their pledges. That first year raised $32,274, including 3M’s match of all donations.

Today’s Pledge Wall has gone digital, including a donation station at the Convention  for people to make donations onsite. People also can donate online

“We’re honored to support the Foundation and proud to stand alongside so many organizations committed to safer roads,” Johnston said.

Learn more about the ATSS Foundation Ambassador Award and how to make a nomination.