Harbor Freight Tools Expands Tools For Schools Program

DILLON, S.C., Oct. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- At a time when budgets are tight and resources are scarce, Sherrie Chapman, Dean of Continuing Education at Northeastern Technical College (NETC), welcomes Harbor Freight Tools as an enthusiastic partner ready to support Vocational Schools around the Pee Dee region.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131021/LA01479)

"We truly appreciate the economic impact that Harbor Freight Tools has in our service area and your giving back to the community by your generous contribution to the college," said Dean Chapman. "We appreciate your employees who worked to load the trucks and deliver the tools to us! Thank you Harbor Freight team for giving us 'Christmas in August!'"

Thanks to the $100,000 gift of tools and equipment from Harbor Freight Tools and Eric Smidt, CEO, hundreds of students at NETC, Marlboro County School District, Dillon County Technology Center, Marion County Academy of Careers and Technology and AMI Kids Sand Hills will benefit from higher quality industrial education programs. The donation, in addition to promoting creativity and innovation, will encourage students to turn their passions into paychecks.

"Vocational training in public schools has been neglected and underfunded for far too long," said Eric Smidt, CEO of Harbor Freight Tools. "We want to help our public schools train the next generation of plumbers, carpenters, electricians and mechanics. With our tools in these South Carolina classrooms, we can help thousands of students work their way toward meaningful, higher paying careers."

After the delivery to the Marion County Academy for Careers and Technology (ACT), Director Darrell Jameson said, "On behalf of the students and staff, we thank Harbor Freight Tools for their generous donation of tools and supplies. They will be used to further instruction in the Automotive Technology Program, the Automotive Collision Repair Technology Program, and the Construction Trades Program. We truly believe that partnerships like this will have a lasting impact on the lives of the students and encourage them to do their best in school when provided with excellent equipment."

Harbor Freight invited the schools' career education instructors to compile "wish" lists. And the lists were long—they asked for and received more than 470 items. All will be put to good use in the industrial education programs for careers in manufacturing, electronics and many other fields.

ABOUT NORTHEASTERN TECHNICAL COLLEGE (NETC):

NETC is a post-secondary institution that is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates. Founded in 1969, NETC is one of the 16 technical colleges that make up the SC Technical College System. NETC's Continuing Education Division provides special services to help meet the educational and training needs of business and industry in Chesterfield, Marlboro and Dillon counties.

ABOUT SCHOOL DISTRICT OF MARLBORO COUNTY:

Located in northeast South Carolina, the School District of Marlboro County is dedicated to partner with families, businesses, and communities to develop the next generation of responsible citizens, lifelong learners, and global leaders. Its mission is to educate and enable all students to achieve their highest potential. Marlboro County Adult Education provides opportunities for community members to participate in activities while engaging their needs in learning and therefore raising their quality of life.

ABOUT DILLON COUNTY TECHNOLOGY CENTER:

Dillon County Technology Center is a cooperative venture of the three school districts in Dillon County to provide each student an opportunity to gain training, experience and skills in various fields of study. The Dillon A-Tec Center helps students prepare themselves for finding a job in the world of work or for placement in an advanced training program.

ABOUT MARION COUNTY ACADEMY OF CAREERS AND TECHNOLOGY:

The Academy of Careers and Technology serves the needs of area students with relevant technical instruction and career-building educational opportunities. At ACT, facilities, instructors, tools and equipment have been brought together in one place to realistically represent careers in which students can gain skill training. The Academy of Careers and Technology's mission is to strengthen the community by preparing students for employment in a changing global workforce. Its vision is for every student who successfully completes a program of study to be gainfully employed and/or enrolled in a post-secondary educational program.

ABOUT HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS:

Founded in 1977, Harbor Freight Tools is the leading discount tool retailer in the U.S. selling high quality tools at "ridiculously low prices" in over 450 stores nationwide and on its website www.harborfreight.com. Harbor Freight Tools stocks over 7,000 items in categories including automotive, air and power tools, shop equipment and hand tools. With a commitment to quality and a lifetime guarantee on all hand tools, Harbor Freight Tools is a favorite of automotive and truck repair shops, government agencies, schools, manufacturers, contractors and tool enthusiasts who want top-quality and great selection and value. The results speak for themselves - with over twenty-five million customers nationwide and thousands of people switching to Harbor Freight Tools every day. Additional information about Harbor Freight Tools and online sales can be found at www.harborfreight.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/harbor.f.tools and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/harborfreight..

ABOUT ERIC SMIDT:

For the past 27 years, Eric Smidt has been the CEO of Harbor Freight Tools. Under Eric's leadership and with the help of a team of over 11,000 hard-working associates, Harbor Freight Tools has become the leading discount tool retailer in the United States. We have 400+ stores nationwide and each location is a one-stop-shop for the widest assortment of quality tools at ridiculously low prices.

Contact: Alan Mutchnik – [email protected]

SOURCE Harbor Freight Tools