We owe a huge thank you to PMMC (Packaging Machine Manufacturers Consortium), a local organization who sponsors us. The PMMC consists of Aagard, Massman, Douglas Machine, Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission, and Alexandria Technical and Community College. The other day, they gave us a huge donation of over $5,000, to help us with the expenses of robots. THANK YOU!!! PMMC has sponsored us since the team was founded back in 2009. What's so different about them is
that they are the most local organization sponsoring us. They're here in Alexandria, and that helps us to maintain a good relationship with them.

Massman is a great example of this. One of the engineers comes and mentors the team and every other year, they send four people to the Pack Expo in Chicago to learn and visit. Another example is Douglas Machine. Not only does one of the team members parents work there but he has been an integral part of mentoring the team this year. They also invited the entire team to their annual company picnic. As for Aagard,  they actually offered a job to one of the teams builders for this coming year and let me be a part of their Tour of Manufacturing. The AAEDC has been a huge part of incorporating businesses into our new high school and connecting teachers with business leaders in the community. They also hold a small business luncheon in May and let us show off during it. Alex Tech has done lots of machining for us in the past and 2 of our recent graduates are students there.

All and all, PMMC does so SO much to help us, and the expand FIRST Robotics and STEM in our community. They're kind of the best.
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