Poland Spring Bottling has pledged $10,000 to the newly formed Scarborough Community Scholarship Foundation.

“Poland Spring Bottling has been overwhelmingly supportive of our organization and our mission, said Celeste Shinay, the chairwoman of the steering committee for the foundation. “The early financial support from a company like Poland Spring is of tremendous value as we establish the Foundation, recruit board members and initiate fundraising.”

The foundation was created this fall as a chartered chapter of the national non-profit organization, Dollars for Scholars. The core mission of the foundation is to provide financial assistance to Scarborough area graduates pursuing higher education.

“This investment in the future of our community’s young people will enable them to enter a highly competitive world with the skills post secondary education can provide,” said Shinay.

A steering committee of citizens and school administrators has been meeting since last spring in response to an initiative started by the high school’s Senior Placement Office.

“Our office has long been concerned about the shortfall in local scholarship funding,” said Tricia Weyand, a college placement officer. “This effort will address the challenges area high school graduates face in funding higher education.”

A recent report by the U.S. Department of Education states that average tuition and fees at public and private colleges rose between 36 and 51 percent during the past 10 years after adjusting for inflation. According to the College Board in Princeton, New Jersey, cost prevents 48 percent of college-qualified, low-income high school students nationwide from attending a four-year college. Currently only 30 percent of Scarborough High School seniors receive non-institutional financial aid.

“Our company has a history of giving to local schools to support the further education of young adults,” said Bill Maples, the Hollis plant manager for Poland Springs. “Giving back to the community is the focal point of Nestle’s aspirations and beliefs – a vision to which this company is firmly committed. Being a viable partner in our communities is crucial to our success.”

Individuals interested in becoming involved with the foundation should contact Celeste Shinay at 883-6331.