COLUMBIA CITY, IN ... Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation announced today it donated $6,500 to support local community organizations, including $5,000 to Whitley County 4-H Clubs and $1,500 to Interfaith Mission.

Funds donated to the Whitley County 4-H Clubs will be used to underwrite the construction of a new building for a Learning Center, which will display artifacts and antiques that trace the 4-H and agricultural history from the county for the past 100 years. The Whitley County 4-H Clubs, Inc. is responsible for planning, promoting, and staging the Whitley County 4-H Fair each year. This annual event has been held for more than 75 years and is the showcase of accomplishments of the 4-H members, which totaled 1,040 in 2005.

The Museum and Learning Center will house areas that will be used for demonstrations on making butter, candles and soap as well as weaving, quilting, woodworking, blacksmithing, and many more topics of interest to be attended by both school children and the general public. Many Eaton employees have donated hours of volunteer work for the 4-H Club and its many projects.

In addition to the donation to the 4-H Clubs, Eaton recently donated $1,500 to the Interfaith Mission. Funds will be used to support The Lighthouse, the only transitional housing for the homeless in Columbia City to help them overcome obstacles to financial and personal self-sufficiency. In addition to housing for women and children, it provides food, clothing and personal items. Eaton employees have donated to this organization for the past two years, providing clothing, food and personal items for the residents. Since opening in February, 2000 The Lighthouse has helped more than 300 people become more productive members of the community.

"Ensuring that these agencies continue to provide assistance to those in need and help to educate children and support future growth of Whitley County is very important," said Jeff Card, manager of business operations for Eaton's Columbia City facility. "We're all proud to work for a company with such a strong tradition of helping to improve the quality of life in our local community."

Eaton's Columbia City facility, part of the company’s hydraulics business, employs approximately 21 people who support and manufacture hydraulic crimping equipment.

Eaton Corporation is a diversified industrial manufacturer with 2005 sales of $11.1 billion. Eaton is a global leader in electrical systems and components for power quality, distribution and control; fluid power systems and services for industrial, mobile and aircraft equipment; intelligent truck drive train systems for safety and fuel economy; and automotive engine air management systems, power train solutions and specialty controls for performance, fuel economy and safety. Eaton has 60,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 125 countries.

Corporate Communications
corpcomm1@eaton.com