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US NITROGEN CONSTRUCTION TEAM, CONTRACTORS RAISE $21,400 FOR GREENE COUNTY FAMILY THROUGH MOTORCYCLE POKER RUN

June 16, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 16, 2015

For more information,
Contact: Amanda Shell Jennings
Moxley Carmichael
(865)255-0661

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Representatives of the corporate sponsors for the Second Annual Poker Run present a check for $21,464 to Andy and Ellen McCall to support treatment for their daughter Penelope's brain seizures at the finish line at Colboch Harley-Davidson in Morristown on June 13. Pictured from left to right are US Nitrogen Maintenance Supervisor Tom Light; US Nitrogen CFE Team Mechanical/Pipe Construction Manager Jerry Snyder; C&C Millwright Maintenance Co. Human Resource Officer Darius Peedin; Ellen McCall with daughter, Penelope; Renfrow Brothers Industrial Contractors Site Manager Tyler Walker; Andy McCall; and US Nitrogen Construction Manager Victor Smith.

Representatives of the corporate sponsors for the Second Annual Poker Run present a check for $21,464 to Andy and Ellen McCall to support treatment for their daughter Penelope’s brain seizures at the finish line at Colboch Harley-Davidson in Morristown on June 13. Pictured from left to right are US Nitrogen Maintenance Supervisor Tom Light; US Nitrogen CFE Team Mechanical/Pipe Construction Manager Jerry Snyder; C&C Millwright Maintenance Co. Human Resource Officer Darius Peedin; Ellen McCall with daughter, Penelope; Renfrow Brothers Industrial Contractors Site Manager Tyler Walker; Andy McCall; and US Nitrogen Construction Manager Victor Smith.

More than 100 motorcyclists turned out for the second annual Poker Run, a charity event organized by the construction team and contractors at the US Nitrogen facility.

The June 13 ride raised more than $21,400 for Andy and Ellen McCall, a Greene County couple whose daughter, Penelope, suffers from brain seizures that have delayed her development.

When the check was presented to the McCalls at the Poker Run finish line, a visibly emotional Ellen McCall expressed her gratitude to the US Nitrogen construction team, the contractors and the participants in the ride.

“The support we have received from this community has been overwhelming from day one,” McCall said. “This support raised through the Poker Run will make a huge difference for Penelope, and we are so grateful to all of you,”

At 5 months old, Penelope was diagnosed with a brain abnormality called polymicrogyria (PMG), which causes brain seizures. That diagnosis led to doctor visits, surgeries and high-powered medications, along with trips to the Tennessee Legislature in Nashville to lobby for the use of cannabis oil, an unorthodox but effective treatment. The McCalls will use funds from the Poker Run to cover current and future medical expenses for Penelope’s ongoing treatment.

“It was wonderful to be able to present a check to this local family and their sweet daughter, Penelope,” said Victor Smith, event organizer and US Nitrogen construction manager. “Our construction team and local contractors stepped up and surpassed our fundraising goal of $20,000. We wish the best for the McCall family and hope that the money raised will help Penelope to continue to grow and thrive.”

During the charity Poker Run, riders traveled a 97-mile loop and stopped at designated locations to collect playing cards from volunteers, eventually getting a full hand of poker.

The ride began in the US Nitrogen parking in Midway and traveled the loop to the finish line at the Colboch Harley-Davidson in Morristown. Participants were greeted with live music by the band, Grits from Dumplin Valley, and were served Big Barney’s BBQ. Cash prizes were awarded to the rider with the best hand and worst hand of poker.

Poker Run sponsors include US Nitrogen; C&C Millwright Maintenance Co., Inc.; Renfrow Brothers Industrial Contractors; Summers-Taylor Inc.; TEC Industrial Maintenance & Construction; MICO Industrial Services; Eastern Industrial Supplies, Inc.; Technology Plus, Inc.; Southern Design Services; Miller Land Surveying; and Applied Technical Services. The event also is supported by the Epilepsy Foundation of East Tennessee.

Tax deductible donations are still being accepted for the McCall family. Checks should be made out to the Epilepsy Foundation of East Tennessee with “For the McCall Family” listed in the subject line and mailed to: Epilepsy Foundation of East Tennessee, 1715 E. Magnolia Ave., Knoxville, TN, 37917; or to US Nitrogen, 471 Pottertown Road, Midway, TN, 37745.

About US Nitrogen

Located in Greene County, Tenn. US Nitrogen is a state-of-the-art facility that will produce ammonium nitrate for industrial purposes. US Nitrogen’s state-of-the-art facility represents a more than $200 million investment in the Greene County community – the largest capital investment in Greene County history. The company will provide more than 80 technical, high-paying jobs to the region. US Nitrogen LLC is a subsidiary of Cleveland, Ohio-based Austin Powder Company, a global leader in industrial explosives used in mining operations around the world.