Aurora, IL-based Keson Industries has made its second large donation of chalk for use by U.S. service members in Afghanistan to mark the location of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
 
A family-owned company based in Illinois for more than 40 years, Keson is known for making tape measures, measuring wheels, chalk boxes and other measuring and marking tools. The company’s donation of 1,300 pounds of its Glo Orange Pro-Chalk, through the 501c3 non-profit organization known as TroopsDirect, is serving a respective battalion of 1,000 service members on the front lines of Afghanistan.
 
This is the second large donation of construction-grade chalk that Keson (www.keson.com) has made to U.S. troops in the past year. TroopsDirect is a 501c3 non-profit organization.

It has been reported that the use of IEDs in Afghanistan increased by 400 percent since 2007. Troops are using the donation for marking and identifying IED lanes by temporarily discoloring IED locations with the marking chalk, then allowing troops and local residents to pass IEDs safely.

“When we heard that our chalk was working much better than the talcum powder to mark IED locations, and that it was holding up to the elements more effectively, we were glad to offer another donation through TroopsDirect,” said Ron Nosek, chairman, Keson Industries.

The chalk was shipped from Keson’s Aurora headquarters to California at the end of December, courtesy of Roadrunner Transportation Services, and has already reached U.S. troops in Afghanistan. This donation is serving a respective battalion of 1,000 service members on the front lines of Afghanistan.
 
“Keson’s donation of colored chalk means that our troops are now able to prevent serious injury and save lives of fellow service members and residents throughout Afghanistan,” said Negherbon, president and founder, TroopsDirect. “This company is really making a difference in the world!”