By JESSICA DAIGLE

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE-Valero Energy Corporation is delivering a generous grant to River Parishes Tools for Schools to provide monetary relief to St. John the Baptist Parish school kids who need uniforms.

The $15,000 grant will be dispersed among those students who are approved after an application process, with a deadline of May 11.

According to Betty Coleman Clement, founder and coordinator for Tools for Schools, the uniforms will be available for the 2005-2006 year, and only one application is needed per family.

Tools for Schools was developed by Clement in 1996 to provide school supplies to students in Tri-Parish area who may be unable to purchase them. The program runs on Clement’s personal funds, donations from local businesses and a grant that accompanied Clement’s 2002 Blue Cross/ Blue Shield Louisiana Angel Award. Since its inception, the program has donated supplies to approximately 1,000 students.

Clement said in a press release that she is grateful to Valero for supporting her on her mission to serve those with unmet needs.

“In doing so, Valero Energy Corporation is proving itself to be a good corporate citizen,” she said.

“The Valero grant is definitely an answered prayer.”

According to Ron Guillory, director of human resources and public affairs for Valero, the donations stem from the Texas Open Golf Tournament, which is held which is held in San Antonio to raise money for children’s charities.

The charity raised millions, and $350,000 of that was given to Valero St. Charles to be dispersed among 15 local children’s programs, Guillory said.

“We’ve made smaller contributions to Tools for Schools before, but this is the first contribution that is so large,” Guillory said, “We definitely thought it was a worthwhile program.”

Some of the businesses that also have contributed to the Tools for Schools fund are Louisiana Federal Credit Union. Norco Shell/ Motiva Norco Refinery, and Wal-Mart.

Jonathan Stuart, regional vice president and general manager of Valero, said the corporation was glad to contribute. “We look forward to other potential opportunities for involvement in helping children,” Stuart said.