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Airgas continues Operation Homefront support with second $100,000 donation

Airgas Inc., a distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, and welding, safety, and related products, today marked the upcoming Independence Day holiday by reaffirming its commitment to Operation Homefront, a charity that supports America's troops by providing emergency assistance and moral support to the families our troops leave behind when they are deployed and to wounded service members when they return home.

A donation of $100,000 was presented to Operation Homefront at the Airgas Southwest store on W.W. White Road in San Antonio, Texas, the city where Operation Homefront is headquartered. Airgas announced last year a $300,000 pledge to be paid in increments of $100,000 per year over three years, with 70 percent going toward Operation Homefront's projects to assist wounded soldiers. At that time, the company also set a goal to hire 100 veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan service in the following 12 months, and began offering the Airgas "Welding 101" course to any veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan service who is interested in exploring a career in welding. In light of challenging economic conditions, Airgas is extending the duration of its goal in hiring veterans to span the three-year commitment that it has to Operation Homefront, as well as its offer of Welding 101 training.

"The sacrifices made by our military community during the course of our nation's military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan are immense," said Airgas Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Peter McCausland. "Operation Homefront was founded to meet the needs of the military community during these difficult times, and Airgas is proud to join others in supporting this work to give vital aid to those who have given so much to this country."

Airgas associates nationwide have been involved in local activities and fundraisers to support Operation Homefront. Each regional company and business unit has designated an Operation Homefront point person to manage the relationship between its operations and Operation Homefront chapters in its area.

"One of the things I like most about our company is the generosity of Airgas associates," said McCausland. "Every day, Airgas associates give back to the communities where they work and live, and last year they participated in dozens of different Operation Homefront events. We look forward to continuing the Airgas charitable tradition with our friends at Operation Homefront."