The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) sponsors an annual Youth Transportation Conference each summer. Thirty students are selected from across the state to attend this conference in Jefferson City, Missouri. The six day conference is free to 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade students, with participants staying overnight on the campus of Lincoln University. The conference exposes students from across Missouri to the numerous career opportunities in the field of transportation and is packed with fun and exciting academic, career development and social activities. Students apply math, sciences, and computer concepts learned in school to transportation related problems. The academic curriculum includes session on math modeling, applied physics, magnetic levitation, public administration, and safety. Other activities include field trips, office/site tours, and speakers from various divisions within MoDOT and related organizations. Interested students must complete an application in full which must be accompanied by the required essay. For more information regarding the Youth Transportation Conference please contact the MoDOT Equal Opportunity and Diversity Division at 573-522-5333 or via email at equalopportunity@modot.mo.gov.

Take advantage of the Summer Lunch Program! The Summer Lunch program is funded through the federal government and based on the R-III District’s Free & Reduced student population; however, ANY child in the District, 0-18 years of age, can participate regardless of parental income. Begins May 21 through August 10 at various times and location. Please note, the participation level at the delivery location, will be re-evaluated after 10 days of service. Service will be stopped if participation is low. For more information visit. www.troy.k12.mo.us. Sit down and eat at Main Street Elementary from 11am to 12:45pm or Pick-up a “sack” lunch from these locations: Hawk Point Elementary 11am-11:15am; Ninth Grade Center 12pm – 12:12pm; Moscow Mills Community Building 12:20pm-12:35pm; and Legends/Castlewood area (intersection TBD) 11:30am-11:45am. *Lunches will not be served on the following days: May 25, May 28, July 4, July 5, July 6, July 13, July 20 and July 27.

Toyota has announced that 11 nonprofit organizations in Missouri are among the 500 finalist in 100 Cars for Good, a national philanthropic program in which the automaker is giving away 100 vehicles to 100 nonprofits over the course of 100 days. Winners will be selected each day by the public through voting on Facebook, beginning on Monday, May 14. One of the finalist is Earthwise Industries of Troy (a complete list of finalist is available at www.100carsforgood.com) This is the second consecutive year for Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good, which is the first Toyota initiative to enlist the public’s held in determining how the company’s charitable contributions are awarded. Voting begins on May 14 and continues through Aug 21. Each day, five organizations will be profiled on Toyota’s Facebook page at www.100carsforgood.com. Individuals will be able to vote once each day for the nonprofit they think is most deserving of a new vehicle. The organization with the most votes at the end of day will win the vehicle. The four runner-ups each day will receive at $1,000 grant from Toyota. For more information on please visit them online at ww.toyota.com/community and stay tuned for more information on voting for Earthwise Industries!

Did you know that the Chamber offers a weekly e-newsletter to its members and the community?  The Weekend Chamber Update is available offering not only new member announcements but other Chamber news and information.

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