SOURCE:KeyBank

DESCRIPTION:

CLEVELAND, February 1, 2018 /3BL Media/ - KeyBank Community Development Lending & Investment (CDLI) has provided a $3 million construction loan with 9% LIHTC financing for the acquisition and rehabilitation of Peterson Park, an existing 39-unit USDA Rural Development affordable housing property, located in Ammon, ID, that will add one additional unit upon renovation. The property is comprised of five, two-story buildings, with units reserved for tenants earning between 30-60% area median income (AMI).  The project will benefit from a Rental Assistance Contract for all 40 units.

Aubré Dickson, Timothy Gerstmann and Melanie Sarver of Key’s CDLI group arranged the financing.

About Key Community Development Lending/Investment

KeyBank Community Development Lending and Investment (CDLI) helps fulfill Key’s purpose to help clients and communities thrive by financing projects that stabilize and revitalize communities. Experts in complex tax credit lending and investing, Key is one of a handful of affordable housing lenders in the country with a platform that brings together balance sheet, equity, and permanent loan offerings. CDLI has a substantial investment and loan portfolio worth more than $2 billion, 90% of which is Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) projects. For its ability to lend to, invest in, and serve its communities –especially low-to-moderate income communities – KeyBank has earned eight consecutive “Outstanding” ratings on the Community Reinvestment Act exam, from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

About KeyCorp

KeyCorp's roots trace back 190 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $137.7 billion at December 31, 2017. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, insurance, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,200 branches and more than 1,500 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank is Member FDIC.

Media Contact: Laura Mimura, laura.mimura@key.com

###

KEYWORDS: Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment, Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, affordable housing, Community Development Lending & Investment (CDLI), KeyBank CDLI, keybank

The company gives back at Super Bowl LIVE presented by Verizon

SOURCE:Hormel Foods Corporation

DESCRIPTION:

AUSTIN, Minn., February 1, 2018 /3BL Media/ – Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL) announced today that it has partnered with Operation Gratitude and set a goal to send 52,000 letters of thanks to active duty service members overseas.

Through its sponsorship with the Super Bowl Host Committee, Hormel Foods is using its activation space at Super Bowl LIVE presented by Verizon to have attendees write letters of appreciation to deployed troops. The thank you letters will accompany 52,000 care packages sent to active duty service members by Operation Gratitude.

“Hormel Foods has a long tradition of supporting our military. Whether it's providing food for our troops or career opportunities when they look to transition to civilian life, Hormel Foods is there,” said Jeff Baker, group vice president of foodservice at Hormel Foods. “We are proud and inspired to partner with Operation Gratitude, and are confident we will achieve our goal of sending 52,000 thank you letters to the troops.”

“Partnering with Hormel Foods is a great opportunity for Operation Gratitude to expand its support of our military and our mission to give every American a way of expressing their appreciation to those who serve,” said Kevin Schmiegel, chief executive officer at Operation Gratitude. “These thank you letters are some of the most treasured items in our care packages and we are excited to work with Hormel Foods to accomplish this audacious goal.”

In addition to handwritten letters, the company has tablets and kiosks for people to send electronic thank you notes, and the activation space also includes a historical 1918 photo of Hormel Foods employees during a summer event. This photo includes the company’s founder, George Hormel, and his family along with the entire company staff holding signs about each department. One sign read “Stenographic department. We write letters to our troops,” further evidence of the company’s long-standing tradition of supporting our troops with letters of thanks.

An online option is available for those who are not able to attend the activation space in person. Visit https://www.hormelfoods.com/operation-gratitude/ to complete a thank you letter form.

About Hormel Foods – Inspired People. Inspired Food.™
Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a global branded food company with over $9 billion in annual revenues across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include Skippy^®, SPAM^®, Hormel^® Natural Choice^®, Applegate^®, Justin’s^®, Wholly Guacamole^®, Hormel^® Black Label^® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of “The 100 Best Corporate Citizens” by Corporate Responsibility Magazine for the ninth year in a row, and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. In 2016, the company celebrated its 125th anniversary and announced its new vision for the future - Inspired People. Inspired Food.™ - focusing on its legacy of innovation. For more information, visit www.hormelfoods.com and http://csr.hormelfoods.com/.

About Operation Gratitude:
Operation Gratitude, a 501(c)(3), volunteer-based organization, annually sends 250,000+ care packages to Veterans, New Recruits, First Responders, Wounded Heroes, Caregivers, and to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed overseas and their families waiting at home. Each package is filled with food, entertainment, hygiene and hand-made items, as well as personal letters of support. Operation Gratitude’s mission is to lift the spirits and meet the evolving needs of the Military and First Responder communities, and provide volunteer opportunities for civilians anywhere in America to express their appreciation to all who serve our nation. Each package contains donated product valued between $50 and $100 and costs the organization $15 to assemble and ship. Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude volunteers have shipped more than 2 Million Care Packages.

Tweet me:.@HormelFoods partners with @opgratitude to send 52,000 letters to troops http://bit.ly/2s0SLPE

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Military, Operation Gratitude, Hormel Foods, Verizon, Super Bowl, Super Bowl LIVE, Super Bowl Host Committee, active duty military

SOURCE:CITGO Petroleum Corporation

DESCRIPTION:

LEMONT, Ill., February 1, 2018 /3BL Media/ - During the recent holiday season and extreme winter weather, the CITGO Lemont Refinery generously supported employee-led initiatives to provide food, clothing and toys to local families. Refinery employees lead an annual food drive prior to Thanksgiving to help local organizations fill their shelves before the holidays. This year, employees donated approximately 40 grocery bags and 30 large bins of food and delivered them to six area food pantries including, Bethany Food Pantry, Day Break Shelter, DuPage Township Pantry, Fairmont Food Pantry and Romeoville Community Pantry.

The Lemont Refinery employees also collected hundreds of new toys for the local Toys for Tots campaign for children in need who otherwise would not have received Christmas gifts. In addition, due to December’s extreme temperatures, TeamCITGO volunteers also organized a coat drive for the local at-risk population. In just one week, CITGO employees donated five winter coats and two full bags of winter gloves to the MorningStar Mission in Joliet.

Jim Cristman, CITGO Vice President Refining, said it is a privilege for CITGO to be able to give back to the community. “Here at CITGO, we have been blessed with good jobs, as a result, our employees and contractors are always looking for ways to give back. Holiday giving is just one example of how we seek to support our neighbors and be a part of meeting the needs of our community,” he said.
 
About the CITGO Lemont Refinery
For more than 90 years, CITGO Lemont Refinery has employed more than 750 Chicago area residents on a full-time and contract basis in support of the local economy. In addition to producing high quality fuels for a large portion of the network of more than 5,200 locally-owned CITGO stations across the country, Lemont Refinery employees also make a major positive impact on the community. Each year, more than 2,500 volunteer hours and thousands of dollars are given in support of community programs such as Muscular Dystrophy Association, United Way and a variety of environmental and preservation programs. Operations at the Lemont Refinery began in 1925 and a major expansion doubled the facility in 1933. Over the years, new units were added to meet the demand for a better quality of gas for automobiles, aviation fuel for WWII, and the production of asphalt. For more information, visit www.citgorefining.com/Lemont.  
 
About CITGO
CITGO, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com.  

Tweet me:.@CITGO Lemont Refinery volunteers supported local families by donating food, clothing and toys during the holidays http://bit.ly/2DQ2Fcl

Contact Info:

+1 (832) 486-5250
press@citgo.com

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Energy, Oil & Gas, Lemont Refinery, Toys for Tots, TeamCITGO, MorningStar Mission, Citgo

Engagement, empathy and generosity

SOURCE:FCA US LLC

DESCRIPTION:

FCA embraces our responsibility to contribute constructively to the greater community. To support our belief that we can be an agent of positive change, FCA promotes a varied range of initiatives: activities to support community development, education, the environment, basic social needs, and victims of natural disasters.

Every season throughout the year offers opportunities and inspiration for  FCA employees to give back to their local communities. 

During the recent Holiday season, for example, FCA and its employees around the world participated in a wide range of charitable activities. These activities focused on bringing joy to the vulnerable and the less fortunate, and demonstrate FCA’s commitment to helping those in need.

Read the full story in our “Sustainability Stories” section. 

KEYWORDS: Social Impact & Volunteering, Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Fiat Chrysler, community, philanthropy, Canada, Chrysler Pacifica, FCA

Captain Harms hands over the check aboard AIDAprima

SOURCE:Carnival Corporation & plc

DESCRIPTION:

February 1, 2018 /3BL Media/ - On AIDAprima's cruise around the Canaries and Madeira, a very special guest was on board for the daily talkshow aboard: Julia Cissewski (45), who works with the Max Planck Institute in the area of evolutionary anthropology, and is the chairwoman of the charitable organization "Orang-Utans in Not e.V." (orangutans in need). She was presented with a check from AIDA for 10,000 euros by Captain Detlef Harms. AIDA was honoring the current award winner who was recognized last year for her voluntary commitment and civil courage by Europe's biggest women's magazine at a gala aboard AIDAprima.   

The Leipzig organization "Orang-Utans in Not e.V." is dedicated to the protection and conservation of wild orangutans in Borneo and Sumatra. At the Prime Time Talk with AIDAprima Entertainment Manager Silvia Minardi, Julia Cissewski provided a rapt Theatrium audience with some thrilling and emotional insights into her work with the association. Speaking on the stage, Cissewski explained: "AIDA's donation will go to an orangutan rescue center in Borneo which shelters around 300 orphaned orangutans who have lost their mothers due to rainforest clearance." 

Apart from Cissewski, five other everyday heroines were honored for their unique services to society. Each of the award winners can look forward to a donation of 10,000 euros from AIDA for their favorite charitable project, and a cruise with AIDAprima.

Tweet me:AIDA donates 10,000 euros to “Orang-Utans in Not” association @CarnivalPLC http://bit.ly/2Ev5jkL

Contact Info:

Claire West
+1 (214) 208-3718
claire@ldwwgroup.com

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Events, Media & Communications, AIDA, Captain Harms, AIDAprima, Orang-Utans in Not, Julia Cissewski, Max Planck, Captain Detlef Harms, Silvia Minardi, Carnival Corporation

SOURCE:Pfizer

DESCRIPTION:

We’re proud to share that we have joined the Aspen Management Partnership for Health (AMP Health) and its network of partners to help strengthen community health systems in Africa by increasing access to quality healthcare. With our support, AMP Health will be able to scale its existing programs in Malawi, Kenya, and Sierra Leone by building the capacity and leadership necessary to set in place critical systems of thousands of community health workers. Pfizer’s previous grant contributions will also be matched this year by the USAID private sector matching funds program, which will allow AMP Health to extend its efforts to additional African nations, including Ghana and Zambia.

A cross-sector coalition of leading global health organizations, AMP Health works with ministries of health to scale up national networks of community health workers to reach vulnerable populations in rural areas. As part of our ongoing commitment to providing quality healthcare to those who need it most, our support of AMP Health, along with that of other cross-sector partners, will enable millions of people living in these regions to receive life-saving services.

Read more about our partnership with AMP Health here. To learn more about our existing global health programs, visit www.pfizer.com/individualvoices.

Tweet me:Learn about the innovative partnership of @Pfizer and @AMPforHealth in an effort to improve access to healthcare in rural Africa: http://bit.ly/2DW46Go

KEYWORDS: Health & Healthcare, Improving Healthcare Access, Corporate Social Responsibility, Global Health, Pfizer, AMP Health, africa

Brand Continues to Promote Healthy Hearts in Third Year of Sponsorship

SOURCE:Mars, Incorporated

DESCRIPTION:

GERMANTOWN, Md., February 2, 2018 /3BL Media/ - Mars Symbioscience announced today that its CocoaVia® brand will be the lead sponsor of the 15th Annual Woman’s Day Red Dress Awards for the third year in a row. The event, hosted on February 6, 2018 at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, recognizes doctors, researchers, and advocates who are making a positive impact in the fight against heart disease, still the leading cause of death in women.

During the ceremony, the brand will honor Dr. Icilma Fergus with the 2018 CocoaVia® Healthy Heart Award. A nationally-recognized expert in cardiovascular health disparity, Dr. Fergus has devoted her career to improving health outcomes for at-risk populations through education, screening and research. Dr. Fergus is the Director of the Cardiovascular Disparities Center and Associate Professor at Mount Sinai Medical Center, and the founder and director of the series of Healthy Hearts projects – Harlem Healthy Hearts and Montserrat Healthy Hearts.

“Every day is a chance to celebrate good health, and we’re proud to partner with Woman’s Day at the Red Dress Awards to honor the special people, such as Dr. Fergus, whose work advances a mission of healthy hearts for everyone,” said Nici Bush, General Manager of Mars Symbioscience. “We believe in the role of a healthy lifestyle in helping all women achieve heart health, and we are driven by the possibilities of the positive health benefits held within nature’s goodness – cocoa.”

Cocoa flavanols are naturally-occurring phytonutrients found in the cocoa bean, and no other food on the planet has the same unique mixture of beneficial flavanols found in cocoa. CocoaVia® supplement delivers the highest concentration of cocoa flavanols in a cocoa extract supplement today, and numerous scientific studies have demonstrated that these flavanols promote healthy blood flow from head to toe†. By helping promote healthy blood flow, the cocoa flavanols in CocoaVia® supplement help the cardiovascular system deliver oxygen and nutrients throughout the body, which supports heart and brain health.

CocoaVia® supplement comes in two convenient forms: capsules and powdered stick packs, making it easy to add into your daily routine. The powdered stick packs are available in Original, Unsweetened and Sweetened Dark Chocolate, and Cran-Raspberry flavors and are easy to mix into your favorite foods, smoothies, yogurts, and hot or chilled drinks.

Visit www.CocoaVia.com for more information about the healthy heart benefits of cocoa flavanols and CocoaVia® supplement.

For more information on the Woman’s Day Red Dress Awards, visit www.womansday.com/red-dress-awards.

†This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

About Mars Symbioscience:

Mars Symbioscience, makers of CocoaVia® brand cocoa flavanol extract supplements, provides targeted bioactive and supplement solutions to individuals with the intent to measurably improve their health and wellbeing. Pioneering some of the most innovative and breakthrough fundamental scientific research, Mars Symbioscience was established in 2005 as an internal technology-based health and life sciences venture area to develop and commercialize new products and services supported by evidence-based science.

For more information please visit www.mars.com/global/brands/symbioscience.  Join Mars on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

# # #

KEYWORDS: Health & Healthcare, Disease Awareness, Mars Incorporated, Woman’s Day Red Dress Awards, heart disease, women's health

SOURCE:iCause

DESCRIPTION:

February 1, 2018 /3BL Media/ - iCause joins forces with two-time cancer survivor, philanthropist, and daughter of Montel Williams, Maressa Williams. Maressa and her father were featured on the Dr. OZ show in 2013, discussing how her battle with cancer sparked her passion to help others.

Maressa Williams, a 29 year old nursing student, grew up in Canton, Ohio, graduated from Jackson High School, and now resides in Charleston, South Carolina. Soon after her high-school graduation she was in a battle for her life. In 2013 she was diagnosed with Stage II Hodgkin's Lymphoma after an accident that required a series of MRIs.

Maressa successfully beat cancer on more than one occasion but the effects stayed with her, leading her to develop a passion for helping others. Shortly after, Maressa became an ambassador for the Lymphoma Research Foundation and decided to pursue a career in healthcare.

“After watching a number of close family members deal with various diseases and illnesses, my passion for being in the healthcare field was sparked. Through my own journey it became even more important to do whatever I could to help, educate, and be an advocate for not only patients but their families as well” Maressa states.

Health scares are not new to the Williams family. Montel Williams, the veteran TV host, has been battling multiple sclerosis since 1999. As seen in the video, Montel stopped everything he was doing to focus on his daughter’s survival and recovery.   

“Maressa’s strength from her fight against cancer and her drive to help others is a perfect fit for the iCause advisory team. Her passion for giving back will help iCause in supporting nonprofits when it comes to cause related events and building communities. We are honored to have her on our team”  CEO Kevin McAhren stated.  

iCause is a global marketplace for cause - the first of its kind. The focus of iCause is to make an impact and build communities, with engagement and incentives for individuals, nonprofits, educational institutions, CSR companies, and philanthropists. iCause is launching their app in a few weeks with events in over 30,000 cities around the world.

“iCause was presented to me by a good friend and I immediately said YES!  I absolutely saw the need and wanted to support their mission. It’s an opportunity to be a part of a global community, connecting people to cause no matter where you are in the world. I am looking forward to working with the company and playing my part as an advisor! ” - Maressa Williams

Learn more about iCause:  www.icause.com

Media Contact:
Contact Name:  Brandy Bright, Director of PR & Media, iCause PBC
Contact Email: brandy.bright@icause.com
Location: Cleveland, Ohio

Disclaimer: iCause PBC is the source of this content.

Tweet me:iCause joins forces with two-time cancer #survivor, philanthropist, and daughter of #Montel Williams, Maressa Williams. Maressa and her father were featured on the #DrOZ show in 2013, discussing how her battle with cancer sparked her passion to help others http://bit.ly/2BM19Ck

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Environment, montel williams, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Non Profits, iCause

By Daryl Brewster, CEO, CECP

SOURCE:CECP: The CEO Force for Good

DESCRIPTION:

Andy Kessler made some interesting points in his piece, “Stocks Weren’t Made for Social Climbing” (1/21/18). Chiefly, we at CECP: The CEO Force for Good, agree with his emphasis on the importance of profits. The issue is how you get there and how to create sustainable value, not just short-term gains.

When he suggests that to invest in socially motivated companies, one is passing up gains, he proceeds from a false dichotomy. Properly realized, the value proposition of a corporation—its outputs, its employee and community relations, its returns, and, yes, its philanthropy—are not linear; they are circular.

Conceiving and executing a “responsible” and “sustainable” strategy need not entail a zero-sum opposition to the pursuit of “returns.” Indeed, when corporate social investment is aligned with a company’s business case, the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts. Think of it as investing in the company, as a company might do in R&D, marketing, and people development.

This is why CECP’s founders, Paul Newman and John Whitehead, along with now 200 leading CEOs, embraced the enlightened corporation as a “Force for Good” in society.

The key is to think of corporate citizenship as something other than mere cost or spend or giveaway. It is an investment. As Adam Smith wrote, business exists to fulfill unmet needs; corporate investment in society should do no less.

Kessler would pit holistic engagement against productivity. In fact, they are inextricably linked, in the minds of both workers and customers.

As important for investors, according to Nielsen, 55 percent of customers will spend more on products from companies that care.  Read on at CECP Insights Blog. 

Tweet me:Holistic engagement and productivity are not at polar ends but in fact, are inextricably linked in the minds of both workers and customers. @CECPTweets CEO responds to Andy Kessler @WSJ op-ed “Stocks Weren’t Made for Social Climbing” http://cecp.me/2E3tb1o

KEYWORDS: Responsible Business & Employee Engagement, Millennials, CECP: The CEO Force for Good

SOURCE:Scotiabank

DESCRIPTION:

SCOTIABANK awarded the top finishers of the Student Run Relay segment of the Annual Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend.

The top finishers, in the straight and mixed divisions, were presented with trophies and giftbags during a special ceremony hosted by Scotiabank.

The CR Walker Knights' team of Andrew Capron, Michael Gomez, Kendrick Kemp and Jeffrey Sanchez finished first overall in 3:42.13 seconds.

Forest Heights Academy out of Abaco was second in 3:47:32, and CR Walker "Soccer" team of Renaldo Green, Brandon Adderley, Miguel Thompson and Demeko Monestine finished third in 3:50:22.

Continue reading on Tribune242.com

Tweet me:.@ScotiaBank awards top finishers in student run/relay for Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend 2018 http://bit.ly/2s4yt7I @Tribune242

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Events, Media & Communications, Scotia Bank, Bahamas, Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend 2018, Marathon Bahamas

Providing thousands of children with safe play spaces and strengthening their healthy start to life

SOURCE:Morgan Stanley

DESCRIPTION:

NEW YORK, February 2, 2018 /3BL Media/ - Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) today announced the creation of 14 new play spaces for children through a Morgan Stanley Foundation grant to KaBOOM! and the hands-on efforts of hundreds of its employees throughout the U.S. this year. With our partners and volunteers we will be building two physical playgrounds in Boston and Atlanta and providing creative play grants in 12 cities to provide local nonprofits an Imagination Playground or Rigamjig, which allow for year-round actvitiy in areas with limited space or inclement weather.

Launching in Indianapolis, IN; San Diego, CA; Pittsburgh, PA; Dallas, TX; Salt Lake City, UT; and Miami, FL, unstructured, child-directed play has proven to help kids develop physically, emotionally, socially and intellectually, yet today’s kids have less time and fewer opportunities to play than any previous generation. For more than 50 years, the Morgan Stanley Foundation has supported healthy starts and solid educations for the children in our communities. Safe places to play are vital to that foundation and the Morgan Stanley Foundation remains committed to delivering essential services, giving children in neighborhoods in need a chance to grow, learn and excel.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to continue to work with KaBOOM! and all of our amazing local partners who prioritize the power of play and further their impact in the community,” said Joan Steinberg, President  Morgan Stanley Foundation. “Thanks to the collaboration between our nonprofit partners and Morgan Stanley volunteers, we are able to bring thousands of children around the United States one step closer to the play-filled childhood they deserve.”

Morgan Stanley has a long-standing partnership with KaBOOM!, the national nonprofit dedicated to bringing play into the daily lives of all children. Over the course of the partnership, Morgan Stanley employees and KaBOOM! have built 18 playgrounds, serving more than 9,000 kids. The creative play grants are an expansion of the commitment that Morgan Stanley and KaBOOM! have made to bringing play to kids everywhere with play systems that provide unique, engaging play opportunities for kids when access to traditional outdoor play spaces is limited or unavailable.

Imagination Playground^TM is an innovative play system that encourages creativity, communication and collaboration in play. With a collection of custom-designed, oversized blue foam shapes, Imagination Playground^TM provides a changing array of elements that allow kids to create a playspace that is constantly built and re-built by their imagination.

An interactive set of wooden planks, wheels and pulleys, Rigamajig allows children to develop language, communication and problem solving skills that are key to cognitive development and STEM learning.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a leading global financial services firm providing investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services. With offices in more than 42 countries, the Firm's employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals.  For more information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com. 

Tweet me:Morgan Stanley works with @KaBOOM to provide thousands of children in 14 cities with access to safe play #MSGivesBack http://bit.ly/2DToVy6

Contact Info:

Sarah Higgins
MorganStanley
+1 (212) 296-3648
sarah.higgins@morganstanley.com

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Responsible Business & Employee Engagement, Morgan Stanley, kaboom!, Imagination Playground, Rigamjig, play spaces

SOURCE:Las Vegas Sands

DESCRIPTION:

When Mount Pinatubo erupted on the Luzon Island of the Philippines in 1991, hundreds of people lost their lives while thousands were displaced.  It was the second largest eruption recorded in recent history.  Marina Bay Sands’ Operational Evaluation and Analysis Manager, Charlene Ong, who was 10 years old at the time, followed her parents as they set up a donation drive to collect necessities for the victims in Manila and also volunteered at the medical and dental missions to help victims in remote villages in the Philippines.  Through this experience, Ong realized she could positively impact the lives of others in her community and make a difference to those in need.  With her parents as a source of inspiration, she embarked on her own volunteerism journey and has not looked back since.

“Volunteerism has always been part of my family,” Ong said.  “Growing up, I watched my mum prepare groceries and pack lunches for the staff and patients at the Mental Health Institute in Manila.  I didn’t put much thought into it back then until I witnessed how these small gestures made someone else’s day, especially after they suffered something so devastating like the Mount Pinatubo eruption.”

Despite her demanding work schedule, she makes it a point to set aside time to give back to the community through Sands for Singapore, Marina Bay Sands’ corporate social responsibility program.  Through Sands Cares, Las Vegas Sands’ corporate giving program, Team Members are given the opportunity to volunteer in the communities in which the company operates, making the communities better and supporting local organizations all over the world that promote a strong quality of life.   

“Volunteerism makes me feel more appreciative and thankful for everything I have and at the same time, I learn more about myself during the process,” she said.  “Without Sands for Singapore, I doubt I would have the opportunity or time to volunteer so regularly.  Marina Bay Sands makes it easy for Team Members to give back through its comprehensive volunteerism activities. There is something to look forward to every quarter.  Through volunteering, you meet different kinds of people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Volunteering does not look at one’s race or gender. Over time, we gain new friends and it’s heartwarming to see how these activities help develop lasting relationships and bonds between both volunteers and beneficiaries.”

Tweet me:.@MarinaBaySands Team Member Charlene Ong shares what #volunteerism means to her http://bit.ly/2DqWY4y #SandsCares @LasVegasSands

KEYWORDS: Social Impact & Volunteering, Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Marina Bay Sands, Sands for Singapore, Sands Cares, Las Vegas Sands

Top CSR Leaders From American Express, Capital One, Campbell Soup, IBM, Walmart, and FUTERRA to Lead Professional CSR Certificate Program at Johns Hopkins University

SOURCE:USCCF Corporate Citizenship Center

DESCRIPTION:

February 2, 2018 /3BL Media/ - The Institute for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) welcomes six leading CSR professionals from some of the world’s most recognizable companies to its 2018 faculty:

• Timothy J. McClimon, President of the American Express Foundation;
• Diane Melley, Vice President of Global Citizenship Initiatives at IBM;
• Catherine Foca, President of the Capital One Foundation;
• Kim Fortunato, President of the Campbell Soup Foundation;
• Katherine Neebe, Senior Director, ESG, Trust & Transparency at Walmart; and
• Aman Singh, Head of Content Strategy at FUTERRA.

These faculty members lead some of the most impressive, well-established, and forward-thinking CSR programs in the world and bring their knowledge, skills, and networks to this practice-based professional certificate program. Read why Institute faculty Tim McClimon and Diane Melley invest their time and expertise in the program.

The Institute for CSR, now in its fifth year, was designed by and for the CSR field as a practical, interactive, and affordable professional development opportunity. Over the course of four, two-day sessions, participants learn from some of the field’s most innovative thinkers, authors, and practitioners and expand their professional networks learning alongside CSR peers from across the country.

Registration for the 2018 Institute is now open and classes begin in March.  Learn more about the 2018 program and registration process here.

The Institute for CSR is an initiative of the Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers and is offered in partnership with Advanced Academic Programs at Johns Hopkins University and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Corporate Citizenship Center. The Institute, which is entering its fifth year, offers CSR practitioners the opportunity to earn a Professional Certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility from Johns Hopkins in just six months.

Tweet me:Announcing the 2018 @Institute4CSR faculty! There's still time to join the 2018 class and learn from these #CSR #experts http://bit.ly/2nvxoBk

KEYWORDS: Events, Media & Communications, Conferences, csr, USCCF Corporate Citizenship Center, Institute for CSR

30-day Your Cancer Game Plan Challenge Helps Those Impacted by Cancer and the Patient Organizations That Support Them

SOURCE:Merck & Co., Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

With an estimated 1.6 million Americans diagnosed in 2017 alone, cancer not only impacts those diagnosed but their friends and family as well. In recognition of World Cancer Day on Sunday, Feb. 4, Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, along with Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly is asking all Americans to join the Your Cancer Game Plan Challenge, a social awareness effort to help raise funds to support cancer patient organizations. The 30-day effort kicked off today as part of Your Cancer Game Plan, a comprehensive resource from Merck and the cancer advocacy community, to help cancer survivors and their loved ones manage the emotional, health and communication challenges of a cancer journey.

About Merck

For more than a century, Merck, a leading global biopharmaceutical company known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases. Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies and animal health products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to health care through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. Today, Merck continues to be at the forefront of research to advance the prevention and treatment of diseases that threaten people and communities around the world - including cancer, cardio-metabolic diseases, emerging animal diseases, Alzheimer’s disease and infectious diseases including HIV and Ebola. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Tweet me:.@Merck is challenging America to #fundraise to help people impacted by cancer. Learn how to get involved with the Your Cancer Game Plan Challenge: http://bit.ly/2DWGBJf

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Health & Healthcare, Merck & Co. Inc., Your Cancer Game Plan Challenge, Jim Kelly

SOURCE:CITGO Petroleum Corporation

DESCRIPTION:

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, February 3, 2018 /3BL Media/ - CITGO Petroleum Corporation is donating up to $1.4 million to Habitat for Humanity with the immediate goal of rebuilding approximately 22 homes in the Rockport, Texas community. The partnership is part of the CITGO Fueling Good. Rebuilding Lives. initiative, a larger effort dedicated to community recovery in the wake of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.

Announced today at a special volunteer event at a resident’s home in Rockport, CITGO volunteers will work with Habitat for Humanity of Aransas County to restore these properties and ensure they are safe havens for families. The support from CITGO will also allow Habitat for Humanity to engage other community partners and volunteers to help in the long-term recovery efforts. 

Habitat for Humanity of Aransas County President of the Board of the Directors, Art Smith said partnering with CITGO is an amazing opportunity. “With the help of partners like CITGO, we are able to see firsthand the profound impact our organization can have on survivors following a storm of that magnitude,” Smith said. “Our partnership is built on our shared commitment to bettering communities by providing people with basic resources and, most importantly, a roof over their heads.” 

In celebration of the newly announced partnership and donation, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott attended and spoke at the event, commending the partners for their dedication and support of the affected community members. “The tremendous generosity we’ve seen from companies like CITGO shows that no disaster can match the spirt of Texas when we work together,” said Gov. Abbott. “When companies invest here, they invest in the people of Texas, and CITGO’s announcement is a testament to the company’s commitment to these communities during the recovery process. This donation will go a long way in helping those trying to rebuild their lives after Harvey, and I thank CITGO for its dedication to helping victims recover.”

As the project continues throughout the year, TeamCITGO volunteers will participate in six work days, working alongside Habitat for Humanity of Aransas County volunteers to restore homes back to their original state. CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery Vice President and General Manager Art Klein said it is a privilege for CITGO to be a part of restoring the Rockport community. “We are honored to partner with an organization that is vested in helping others rebuild their lives after the 2017 natural disasters,” said Klein. “In alignment with our CITGO Fueling Good. Rebuilding Lives. initiative, our goal is to support those impacted by storms like Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.” 

In addition to the partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Aransas County, CITGO donated $500,000 to the Coastal Bend Community Foundation to support shelters and temporary housing, food and supplies, healthcare and transportation for families. In Houston, CITGO recently partnered with “Rebuilding Together Houston” and has committed up to $6 million to help rebuild 300 homes over the next three years in Houston’s Independence Heights community. CITGO customers also participated in recovery efforts by contributing 1 cent from each gallon of fuel purchased – up to $8 Million. Visit the Fueling Good. Rebuilding Lives. Website for additional details. 

About CITGO
CITGO Petroleum Corporation, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com.

Tweet me:As part of its Fueling Good. Rebuilding Lives. initiative, @CITGO is donating up to $1.4 million to Habitat for Humanity to restore 22 homes in the Rockport area in the wake of devastating hurricanes http://bit.ly/2DU6rRY

Contact Info:

+1 (832) 486-5250
press@citgo.com

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Energy, Citgo, Habitat for Humanity, Governor Greg Abbott, CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery, Oil & Gas

U.S. students team up with peers from Brazil, China, Korea and Tunisia to present their solutions at the United Nations

SOURCE:Samsung Electronics America, Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

NEW YORK,  February 5, 2018 /3BL Media/ - Samsung Electronics America, Inc. today brought teachers and students from 5 countries together at the United Nations to find solutions for sustainable development issues around the globe. As part of the Global Classroom STEAM Challenge, the student teams partnered with international counterparts over the past 10 weeks to develop solutions to issues in their respective communities. Today, at an event at the United Nations headquarters, the teams presented their proposed solutions to a panel of government leaders, non-governmental organizations, educators and corporate leaders.

Focusing on economic, environmental, and social issues, the students were challenged to work collaboratively to use STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) skills to build out possible solutions that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  Using a virtual classroom platform developed by IVECA, a non-profit organization that supports international collaborative learning, students worked in tandem to identify issues in their local communities, share perspectives and develop their presentations.

“We wanted to give these students from around the world the opportunity to interact with their peers on issues that transcend their local communities,” said Ann Woo, Senior Director of Corporate Citizenship at Samsung Electronics America. “The goal was to really challenge these students with the how - how can they be innovative in their thinking and use STEAM skills to overcome sustainable development challenges in their communities.”

Each of the schools participating will receive a participation certificate from IVECA, as well as a Global Classroom STEAM Challenge award from Samsung.

“Samsung has given our students the opportunity to not only interact with like-minded peers across the globe, but to cross cultural barriers and gain invaluable experience presenting their ideas at the United Nations,” said BeLinda Cross, teacher at Lawrence County High School. “They’re learning that their voices matter and they truly can make a difference.”

The list of school teams include:

• Ross High School’s Butler Tech in Hamilton, Ohio & Science Academy of KAIST in Busan, Korea are addressing the “No Poverty” and “Zero Hunger” SDGs by developing a website and an NGO to collect and distribute food.

• Downtown College Prep in San Jose, California & Zhenjiang Vocational Technical College in Jiangsu, China are addressing the “Clean Energy,” “Climate Action,” and “Life on Land” SDGs thanks to co-developed devices to reuse recyclables and plastic to cool and filter the air and conserve water.
• Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy in Erie, Pennsylvania & International School of Tunis from Tunis, Tunisia are addressing the “Decent Work and Economic Growth” and “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure” SDGs through educational programs to create jobs and improve their economy through tourism and workplace equality. 
• The Lawrence County High School in Moulton, Alabama & Luiza Formozinho Ribeiro Public School in Sao Paulo, Brazil are addressing the “Good Health and Well-Being” SDG through co-developed websites and a mobile app to reduce and better manage waste and litter in their communities.

A live webcast of the program will be broadcast via UN TV at http://webtv.un.org/, and the United Nation’s YouTube channel will archive the program on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/unitednations. 

Samsung’s Citizenship initiatives focus on programs that enhance health, education and sustainability opportunities for children. The company continues to develop programs that inspire the next generation of innovators through STEAM skills that prepare students for their future. To learn more about Samsung’s STEAM initiatives, visit here.

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About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.

Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, N.J., Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA) is a recognized innovative leader in consumer electronics, mobile devices and enterprise solutions. A wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., SEA is pushing beyond the limits of today’s technology and providing consumers and organizations with a portfolio of groundbreaking products in appliances, home entertainment, Internet of Things, mobile computing, smartphones, virtual reality, wireless infrastructure and wearables, in addition to offering leading content and services related to mobile payments, 360-degree VR video, customer support and more. Samsung is a pioneering leader in smartphones and HDTVs in the U.S. and one of America’s fastest growing home appliance brands. To discover more about Samsung, please visit www.samsung.com. For the latest Samsung news, please visit news.samsung.com/us and follow us @SamsungNewsUS.

Tweet me:#Samsung Challenges Students Around the World to Tackle #SustainableDevelopment Issues Through #STEAM Skills http://bit.ly/2nuOxev #SDGs

KEYWORDS: Education, Awards, Ratings & Rankings, Samsung

By Diane Abel, Editorial and Research Manager, Admical

SOURCE:CECP: The CEO Force for Good

DESCRIPTION:

On October 2017, Admical, a Paris-based NGO and the French Local Authority of the Global Exchange, published a first-of-its-kind study in partnership with the institute of studies Kantar Public, which aimed to understand French people’s opinion on philanthropy.

Built on a two-phase methodology, the qualitative phase was composed of two focus groups, and, through the quantitative phase, a questionnaire was administrated to a sample of 1,006 people. The research had three objectives:

• Measure the awareness of corporate and individual philanthropy in France
• Evaluate the public perception of philanthropy: how do people perceive philanthropists and which images could define them?
• Understand the population’s expectations on this subject.

Finding #1: Philanthropy appears to be well appreciated and very useful

More than 8 out of 10 French people know the word « mécénat » (philanthropy). Sixty-one percent of respondents consider it an important tool for funding societal projects, and 1/3 of French citizens think that it will become more important in the future.

People also assigned very positive values to philanthropy, such as commitment, sharing, innovation, passion, dynamism, ethics, and authenticity. For French people, philanthropy represents a real opportunity to create social relationships and welfare, and to give a better image of the country.

Read more at CECP Insights Blog.

Tweet me:How do French people perceive philanthropy? @CECPTweets Global Exchange partner @Admical top findings from unprecedented study of corp and individual philanthropy in France #health #environment #socialsolidarity http://bit.ly/2ErS4kR

KEYWORDS: Research, Reports & Publications, Environment, CECP: The CEO Force for Good, CECP, France

SOURCE:Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

DESCRIPTION:

Children enter foster care because they are abused and neglected. The children waiting to be adopted deserve our best efforts to find them a family.

Little Wesley waited nearly three years in foster care, but today he and his family are celebrating their future! The Holbrooks adopted Wesley and now he never has to wonder again who will help him with his homework and who will pick him up after school. He will have someone to wave to when he crosses the stage at graduation and his children will have grandparents.

Foster care adoption changes lives.
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption has one mission: To dramatically increase the number of adoptions from foster care. We understand that not everyone is in a position to adopt, but everyone can help support these children and our mission to find them the parents they deserve.

Consider supporting our mission at davethomasfoundation.org/donate

Tweet me:Wesley spent three years in #fostercare and now that he's been #adopted he never has to wonder again who will help him with his homework and who will pick him up after school. http://bit.ly/2ns0j9s @DTFA

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Dave Thomas, foster care, adoption, Recruiter, forever family, Wendy’s

Edison International is partnering with the nonprofit to help veterans reintegrate into the community.

SOURCE:Edison International

DESCRIPTION:

Cris Zavala, a 15-year Navy veteran from San Diego, relocated to the Los Angeles area in 2016, seeking a career change and a new start, knowing few people in his new city. Thanks to help he received from the Compton office of the Salvation Army Haven Veterans Employment Services Program, he discovered a new career.  

“I was looking for something maritime-related,” said Zavala. In the Navy, he assisted with radar operations and plotting courses for ships. He left active duty in 2009 as petty officer second class and remains on reserve duty. After 2009, his employment included part-time work as a deckhand and first officer on dinner and private event cruises.

Zavala’s “career coach” at the Salvation Army helped him structure his resume, practice interview techniques and choose attire for interviews. The coaching helped him land a job as a front desk agent at a large hotel near Los Angeles International Airport. Now, after one year, he is planning to earn a diploma in the hospitality industry.

In December, the Compton chapter’s Community Integration and Employment Services Programs, including Haven Veterans Employment Services, received $30,000 in grants from Edison International, parent company of Southern California Edison, to help veterans reintegrate into the community.

“One of the ways Edison honors veterans is by providing charitable support to programs that help them thrive once they’ve returned to civilian life,” said Lisa Woon, SCE principal manager of Corporate Philanthropy. “We are investing in organizations that are providing vital job training services to help address the employment needs in our community.”

Edison International is one of Southern California’s largest charitable contributors, donating more than $20 million and more than 100,000 employee volunteer hours last year to nonprofits helping underserved communities. All charitable funds come from Edison shareholders, not from customer dollars.

The Haven Veterans Employment Services provides supportive employment services to veterans throughout Southern California. The program helps veterans gain meaningful employment, including resources to better participate in the job market. In addition, the Community Integration and Employment Services Program helps homeless veterans with employment, case management and other forms of assistance.

According to Lisa Anderson, the Compton chapter’s community integration manager, the program assists about 200 veterans each year. The goal is to get veterans employed within three months. “We stay in touch with them for up to nine months” to monitor their progress, she said, and help them overcome obstacles to staying employed, if needed.

“It can be as simple as helping a noncomputer-savvy veteran set up their email account and learn to apply for jobs online,” said Anderson, who noted that the program achieved a 78 percent placement rate last year. “Some of our veterans need interview clothing or transportation, which we can fund.”

For Maribel Velasco, an Army veteran who served in the 1980s as a mechanic and retired as a specialist in 1991, the program provided a range of support services after she was laid off from her job last January.

“They gave me some job leads, sent me to job fairs,” she said. “They gave me money to buy clothing for job interviews at a time when I couldn’t spend money on clothes.”

“Maribel just needed someone to encourage her and tell her she could do it,” said Krystina Robinson, Velasco’s career development specialist.

With the program’s help, Velasco landed a temporary position at a freight forwarding company in August and was made a full-time employee in December.

“It’s really rewarding work, but it’s a two-way street,” said Robinson, whose husband is on active duty in the Air Force. “We do the coaching, but they have to be dedicated to their job search.”

To hear more from veterans at Edison and to explore current job openings, visit edison.com/veterans.

Tweet me:“They gave me money to buy clothing for job interviews at a time when I couldn’t spend money on clothes.” @EdisonIntl partners with @SalvationArmyUS Haven #Veterans Employment Services http://bit.ly/2BXiM22 #CSR #nonprofits #diversity

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Diversity & Inclusion, Edison International, Southern California Edison, Salvation Army, compton, California

SOURCE:General Mills

DESCRIPTION:

General Mills teamed up with Taste of the NFL on Saturday night to raise awareness and money to kick hunger during the busy “Big Game” weekend.

We were the event’s presenting sponsor. The annual gathering is a super-sized fundraiser that brings together restaurant chefs and former professional football players representing the 32 cities with pro football teams in the U.S., for a night designed to raise money for designated Feeding America affiliated food banks in those cities, as well as other select hunger relief organizations.

Taste of the NFL, called a “Party with a Purpose,” started in Minnesota in 1992 and returned this year for its 27th event, for a sold-out crowd at the St. Paul River Centre. About 15 percent of the proceeds from this year’s party will directly benefit hunger relief efforts in Minnesota.

Even our very own Pillsbury Doughboy made it out for the big night.

Taste of the NFL has raised more than $25 million to fight hunger since it started.

Wayne Kostroski, founder of Taste of the NFL, talks about having the impactful event back in Minnesota, in this video.

“Hunger relief is a vitally important issue,” says Mary Jane Melendez, executive director of the General Mills Foundation. “Our long-standing commitment of fighting hunger and creating food-secure communities makes this sponsorship so important to us.”

We devoted this month’s episode of our podcast to Taste of the NFL. The show features several interviews, from the event, as you see in the description below.

The premiere party in the state that hosts “The Big Game” each year is Taste of the NFL, which donates a portion of its proceeds to food banks and hunger relief organizations in each of the 32 pro football cities. It started in 1992 when Minneapolis was home to the game for the first time. This year, Taste of the NFL was back in Minnesota for its 27th event. In this episode, you’ll hear from the founder of Taste of the NFL, Wayne Kostroski, Andrew Zimmern (“Bizarre Foods”), Second Harvest Heartland’s Rob Zeaske and General Mills Chairman and CEO Jeff Harmening. For more information, visit us at blog.generalmills.com.

Tweet me:.@GeneralMills teamed up with @TasteoftheNFL to raise awareness and money to kick hunger during the busy “Big Game” weekend. http://bit.ly/2EoTTSl

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Events, Media & Communications, taste of the nfl, General Mills Foundation, General Mills, Hunger, Food Insecurity