Giving back to our communities is a hallmark of business for U.S. Borax and our parent company, Rio Tinto. Every year, the Borax Visitor Center Foundation—made up of company and community leaders—disburses Visitor Center funds through a grant and scholarship program. We are happy to announce the recipients of the 2023 awards:
Boron Alive
This organization will use the award to fund events including the Community Christmas Party at the Twenty Mule Team Museum Park and a kids' Santa visit. Learn more about this organization.
Boron Junior-Senior High School
Supporting the education of future generations is a primary focus for U.S. Borax. The Boron Junior-Senior High School is part of the Muroc Joint Unified School District. We have awarded several grants to promote student education and well-being:
- Boron High School PAC: The purpose of the PAC is to support, encourage, and improve the well-being of the students at Boron Junior/Senior High School. PAC will sponsor staff and student body morale boosters such as, Sadie Hawkins Week and Staff Appreciation Week.
- The Young and Creative Collection: Enables special needs students to experiment with art—helping them strengthen their coping mechanisms.
- Special needs student field trips: Students will be able to go on trips such as Kern Regional Center and The Taft College Transition to Independent Living Program, plus a skills trip to tour and interview with a local employer. The hope is to give special education students an opportunity to see and experience the options available to them upon high school completion.
- L.A. Observatory field trip: This trip helps expand students' view of the world and our place in it.
- Associated Student Body (ASB): This group supports extra-curricular activities at the school. They will use this award to purchase a vending machine to raise funds at school activities.
Desert Group and Search & Rescue
We’re surrounded by a big desert and, while it provides great opportunity for exploration, if someone gets in trouble out there, it's nice to know that someone else will come rescue them. The Desert Group and Search & Rescue are the people who will respond first. They will use this grant to replace life-saving AED pads. Follow them on Facebook.
Reggie's Kicks for Kids
A terrific outreach benefitting the children of Boron. Providing tennis shoes and sporting equipment just might be the boost a kid needs to succeed.
Wind in the Willows Pre-School
This award will provide sponsorships to families who need help with childcare costs. Follow the school on Facebook.
20 Mule Team Museum
A partner to our Visitor Center—in that it showcases the history of U.S. Borax and the town of Boron. It's also an important partner to this community. The funding they received will be used to repair and maintain equipment and grounds at the Twenty Mule Team Museum and Pioneer Park. Learn more about the museum.
Boron Senior Center
Because our senior citizens are such valuable members of this community, we want to help ensure they are comfortable in both the summer and winter months. The center will repair both their cooling and heating systems.
Scholarships
Every year, we award scholarships to Boron High School seniors who are going on to higher education—an accredited college, foundation, or trade school. These scholarships were officially handed out at graduation. Recipients were accepted at the following institutions:
- Antelope Valley College
- Bakersfield College
- Fire Academy in Montana
- California State University - Northridge
- University of California - Davis
We wish them these stellar students success in the future.
The source of funding for these scholarships and grants has traditionally been due to visitors making purchases and donations at the Borax Visitor Center. This year, we’re happy to announce that U.S. Borax will reimburse the Visitor Center Foundation for the entire amount of the grants. These funds will help to strengthen the Visitor Center financial position into the future.
Resources