Pinnacol Foundation Grants Scholarships to 96 Students

Awards Total Over a Quarter of a Million Dollars for students to pursue post-secondary education


DENVER, Aug. 13, 2010 - The Pinnacol Foundation has awarded $290,250 in scholarships to 96 students for the 2010–2011 school year. Over the last 10 years, scholarships totaling $1,383,000 have been awarded to the children of Colorado workers who were killed or seriously injured in work-related accidents.

“Five years after my husband’s death, the Pinnacol Foundation is still there for us,” said Jandale Carter of Greeley. Her husband, Barry Carter, a salvage yard mechanic, was killed in a work accident in 2005. Over the last four years, both her children have received the Pinnacol scholarship.

After a serious workplace accident, families struggle financially, physically and emotionally. The children often take on much more responsibility than other kids their age – from taking part-time jobs to becoming part-time caretakers. Employees at Pinnacol Assurance, Colorado’s leading provider of workers’ compensation insurance, know this better than anyone. With their input, the Pinnacol Foundation was created in 2000 to assist those children after a workplace accident.

Since 2000, more than 200 children of injured workers have received Pinnacol Foundation scholarships. The average scholarship amount is $3,000 for one year. Students may use the funds at any accredited institution of higher learning and may reapply up to five years or to age 25.

“We are so excited that Daniel was awarded a scholarship,” said Janice Frank-Tappy of Sterling whose son, Daniel Frank, will enter the Colorado School of Mines this fall. His father, Joseph Frank, was killed in a highway maintenance accident. “I am very proud of him, and I know his father would have been too.”

“It is a challenge for many children to get the education they want and deserve when a parent’s ability to work is taken away unexpectedly,” said Carole Sumption, chair of the Pinnacol Foundation Board of Directors. “Pinnacol recognizes that education is the key to Colorado’s future, and this is one way the company can help give these students opportunities for a bright future.”

View the list of students who will receive scholarships for the 2010-2011 school year. Names in bold have received the award in multiple years. Names in italics have a sibling who has also received the scholarship.

To qualify for a Pinnacol Foundation scholarship, a student must be the natural child, adopted child or stepchild of a worker killed or seriously injured in a compensable work-related accident while employed by a Colorado-based business. The Foundation grants scholarships to students regardless of the insurance carrier. Scholarships are awarded based on the severity of the parent’s injury, financial need, academic achievement, recommendation letters, and a personal essay. Scholarship applications are accepted annually January 1 through March 31. The selection committee convenes each May to determine the awards.

For more information about the Pinnacol Foundation, please visit www.pinnacol.com or call us at 303.361.4775.

About The Pinnacol Foundation
Pinnacol Foundation was established in 2000 as a charitable nonprofit entity with $50,000 in seed money from Pinnacol Assurance, Colorado’s leading provider of workers’ compensation insurance. Since that time, over 200 students have received scholarships. Today, the Foundation raises scholarship money through an annual golf tournament and corporate donations. Find out more at www.pinnacol.com/foundation.

Contact:
Suzi Stolte
Associate Vice President of Communications and Public Relations
303.361.4777
suzi.stolte@pinnacol.com