DES PLAINES, IL (November 21, 2000) - Four American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) chapters committed to continued education and research in safety, have made major donations to the ASSE Foundation (ASSEF).

      The Chesapeake Chapter in the Baltimore area made a $1,500 donation to the James P. Kohn Memorial Scholarship fund, named for a former ASSE board member who died in April, 1999. The gift is earmarked for graduate students studying occupational safety.

      The Penn-Jersey Chapter made an unrestricted gift according to Foundation Manager Mary Goranson. Past-President of the Penn-Jersey Chapter, Linda Tapp, says those funds were collected from advertising space sold in the chapter newsletter.

      The South Florida Chapter also made an unrestricted donation. South Florida Foundation Representative Milton Rhodes says the donation was something his chapter members felt they should do.

      A donation was also made to the ASSEF by the Louisville, Kentucky Chapter of ASSE.

      Through its programs the ASSEF is committed to ensuring the future of occupational safety and health by providing financial resources to individuals and organizations. Each year the Foundation awards funds for applied safety research, scholarships, fellowships, internships and professional development.

      The ASSEF was established in 1990 to provide professional development and financial resources to qualified individuals and non-profit organizations. The Foundation seeks to advance safety and health development and research and education in the public interest.

      Founded in 1911, the non-profit ASSE is the world's largest and oldest professional safety organization. Its 33,000 members located throughout the U.S. and the world, manage, supervise, research and consult on safety, health, transportation and environmental issues in industry, government, education and insurance.