Tom's of Maine invites consumers to 'green your schools'

KENNEBUNK, Maine -- Tom's of Maine is investing in kids and the community with a new campaign that asks the public to help choose the most creative environmental projects submitted by educators nationwide. 

The "Green Your School Fund" is a new initiative from Tom's of Maine, a pioneer in making products that are natural, responsible and sustainable. The company has teamed up with DonorsChoose.org to give $1 million dollars to classrooms nationwide so students can roll up their sleeves and understand at an early age the impact they can have on the planet.

More than 250 projects from 40 states were submitted and a panel of judges chose the 10 most creative ideas as finalists. Now, communities across the country get to choose their favorite classroom lesson. 

The project that receives the most votes will receive $25,000 in funding to turn their project into a reality. Second place and third place winners will receive $15,000 and $10,000 respectively and seven honorable mention projects will receive $2,000 each.

The fund is also distributing more than $900,000 to classrooms across the country. As such, every educator that submitted an idea to the Tom's of Maine "Green Your School Fund" has already received 50 percent or more in funding towards reaching their project goal. The public can also help support these projects in classrooms across the nation by contributing at DonorsChoose.org/greenschoolfund.

"Incorporating a healthy routine into a child's daily life involves more than just teaching them how to take care of their bodies, it also includes teaching them how to take care of the communities where they live," said Susan Dewhirst, public relations and goodness programs manager at Tom's of Maine. "Our hope is that the projects submitted as part of the Tom's of Maine 'Green Your School Fund' will help teachers to introduce their students to ways they can make a meaningful impact in both their school and their community, and then take these lessons and apply them as they grow into adulthood."

Tom's of Maine is a leading natural products company focused on oral and personal care, carrying toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, deodorant, antiperspirant, bar soap, body wash, body lotion, hand cream, lip balm and baby care products.