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ExxonMobil Green Team Begins 26th Year Revitalizing Dallas Neighborhoods

ExxonMobil Green Team Begins 26th Year Revitalizing Dallas Neighborhoods

Published 06-01-07

Submitted by ExxonMobil

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 1, 2007--ExxonMobil and the City of Dallas kicked off the 2007 ExxonMobil Green Team today by breaking ground on the first of four new homes to be built in the historic Joppa neighborhood in conjunction with Dallas-Area Habitat for Humanity.

The ExxonMobil Green Team, now in its 26th year in Dallas, provides a meaningful summer work experience for 100 high school students from low- to moderate-income homes. The program is supported by a $265,000 grant from the ExxonMobil Foundation, which funds student salaries and costs incurred by the City of Dallas for administration.

"The ExxonMobil Green Team is unique, because it allows us to reach out to Dallas youth and demonstrate the importance of making a difference in our community, while providing them with a summer job, educational opportunities and a paycheck," said Fred Marshall, global community relations manager, ExxonMobil.

"Over the next eight weeks, these students will learn the value of hard work while helping revitalize a neighborhood with so much historical significance in Dallas. Our hope is that the experience gained by the participants this summer will inspire them to pursue higher education, achieve their goals and continue to be a positive force in the community."

Dallas-Area Habitat for Humanity will offer students hands-on instruction as they spend the summer building the four new homes in the Joppa neighborhood. Upon completion, the homes will be sold to qualified applicants. Participants will plan and work together on a
neighborhood recycling day, which will be part of a special week-long environmental project, and will also take part in environmentally-focused, educational field trips.

In addition to their work responsibilities, the ExxonMobil Green Team encourages students to explore higher education opportunities. As part of the program, participants attend classes at the ExxonMobil Academy at El Centro College where they receive instruction in mathematics, reading, writing and computer literacy. Students are offered the opportunity to receive college credit for the coursework they complete through the program, and many will begin their college careers this summer. All will earn a paycheck for time spent in the program, whether working or attending classes.

"Over the past 26 years, the ExxonMobil Green Team has made a noticeable impact on Dallas: constructing homes for deserving families, helping keep our city parks clean and useable for all of our residents, and participating in a number of special projects throughout the city," said Jerry Killingsworth, director, City of Dallas Housing Department.

"Programs such as the ExxonMobil Green Team strengthen our entire community by putting young people on the path to becoming responsible citizens and teaching us all to be better neighbors and to work together to reach our common goals. We are proud to continue our partnership with this program, and we look forward to seeing the accomplishments of the ExxonMobil Green Team students this summer."

The ExxonMobil Green Team is supported by many community partners, including: City of Dallas Housing Department, City of Dallas Park and Recreation Department, City of Dallas Sanitation Department, Councilmember Dr. Maxine Thornton-Reese, Dallas-Area Habitat for Humanity, Dallas Independent School District, El Centro College, Enterprise Community Partners and Mayor Pro-Tem Donald W. Hill.

Since its launch in 1981, ExxonMobil has invested more than $6 million in the Dallas Green Team. Upon completion of the 2007 program, the ExxonMobil Green Team will have reached more than 3,300 students, constructed 33 homes and completed numerous park improvements throughout Dallas. The Dallas program has become a model for other ExxonMobil Green Team programs in cities across the country, including: Torrance, Calif.; Chalmette, La.; Clinton, N.J.; Paulsboro, N.J.; Beaumont, Texas; Houston; and Arlington, Va.

About ExxonMobil Foundation

ExxonMobil Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm of the Exxon Mobil Corporation in the United States. The Foundation and the Corporation engage in a range of philanthropic activities that advance education, health and science in the communities where ExxonMobil has significant operations. In the United States, ExxonMobil supports initiatives to improve math and science education at the K-12 and higher education levels. Globally, ExxonMobil provides funding to improve basic education and combat malaria and other infectious diseases in developing countries. In 2006, Exxon Mobil Corporation, its divisions and affiliates, and ExxonMobil Foundation provided $139 million in contributions worldwide, with $54 million dedicated to education. Additional information on ExxonMobil's community partnerships and contributions programs is available at www.exxonmobil.com/community.

Copyright Business Wire 2007

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