Medtronic, Inc., and Ecolab Inc., are renewing their sponsorships of Edina Robotics FIRST Team 1816-The Green Machine, with generous donations totaling $24,0000 to underwrite the registration fees and expenses associated with participation in the FIRST Robotics Competition. The team thanks Dr. Stephen Oesterle, Senior VP of Medicine and Technology at Medtronic, Fridley, Minn., and Doug Baker, chief executive officer of Ecolab, for their ongoing support of our team as well as that of FIRST throughout Minnesota.
The team also would like to welcome its newest sponsors FilmTec, an Edina, Minn.-based division of Dow Water Solutions; General Mills Inc., Minneapolis, and Production Engineering Corp., Minneapolis. Jerry’s Enterprises, Edina, a sponsor of the team during its rookie year, has also renewed its support of the team during the 2008-09 season. In all, these sponsors contributed more than $8,700 to Team 1816.
Participation in the FIRST Robotics Competitions requires teams fundraise and seek sponsorships from corporations to cover the cost of competition entry fees, purchase materials to build a robot worthy of competing in the tournaments, as well as some travel expenses for the three-day competitions. Throughout the year, the team knocks on doors and makes presentations about its participation in FIRST Robotics. The team relies solely on adult volunteers for mentoring, coaching and administration. Funding by corporate sponsors enables FIRST teams to register for events and purchase materials needed to build a robot able to compete both in regional events as well as the Championship Event in Atlanta, Ga.
The Green Machine thanks all its donors and sponsors for your generous support. We wouldn’t be able to accomplish a fraction of what we do without your contributions!