SOURCE:Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

DESCRIPTION:

Today is national best friend day and for children who grew up in the foster care system, friendship can be a tough thing to form. When you are always moving from house to house, it’s hard to create lasting friendships. The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is committed to dramatically increasing the number of adoptions from foster care so that every child can have the family and friendships they deserve.

When Neveah was born she was immediately placed in foster care and spent months and months in the hospital. Today she is part of a loving family and she told us her mom is her best friend. Everyone deserves to have a parent who is their best friend.

Please join us as we continue to find forever families for children waiting in foster care.

To make a donation or learn more about foster care adoption, click here.

Tweet me:Everyone deserves to have a parent who is their best friend. http://bit.ly/2rM5Ffw @DTFA #fostercare #adoption

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

The nationwide effort is part of Habitat’s Home Builders Blitz, June 5-9

SOURCE:Habitat for Humanity

DESCRIPTION:

ATLANTA, June 8, 2017 /3BL Media/ - Habitat for Humanity is bringing together professional builders this summer for its Home Builders Blitz. Presented by Ply Gem, the event is a weeklong effort to build and improve homes across the U.S. During June 5-9, more than 200 families will partner with Habitat across 28 states to build or repair a place they can call home.

As part of the build week, Habitat recruits and partners with professional builders who provide labor, funding and materials, giving local Habitat organizations the capacity to partner with more families. For the second consecutive year, Ply Gem, a North American manufacturer of building products, is the presenting sponsor for Habitat's Home Builders Blitz.

“Home Builders Blitz is truly a testament to the willingness of local builders to invest in their communities,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “When professional homebuilders donate their time, skills, funding and materials, it allows us to exponentially increase our work, maximize our efforts and partner with even more homeowners. We are so grateful for their support and the positive ripple effects they have made in our communities.”          

Habitat’s Home Builders Blitz originated in Raleigh in 2002, when local builder Tom Gipson recruited 12 homebuilders to donate their time to build five houses in five days. Since then, more than 2,000 builders in 300 communities have participated in Home Builders Blitz.

“At Ply Gem, we’ve taken our nearly 75 years of experience creating homebuilding products that make beautiful homes, and turned it into our mission, through the Home for Good project,” says Gary E. Robinette, chairman and CEO, Ply Gem. “And, we believe it’s our role as a leader to make the entire building industry aware of the positive impact that affordable housing has on local families and communities.”

Ply Gem's presenting sponsorship of Habitat's Home Builders Blitz is one component of the Home for Good project – a multi-year initiative that includes the donation of more than $1 million of exterior building products and funds to support Habitat’s vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to call home. Three-time Grammy Award winner Darius Rucker is partnering with Ply Gem and as the project's ambassador, he will participate in a build and help dedicate a Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity home outside of Nashville, Tennessee.

Additional Home Builders Blitz support comes from Martin Marietta, The Blue Book Building and Construction Network, Huber Engineered Woods, Masco Corporation, Columbia Forest Products and Gildan.

For more information about Habitat's Home Builders Blitz, please visit http://www.habitat.org/homebuildersblitz.

About Habitat for Humanity

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 1,300 communities throughout the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.

About Ply Gem Building Products

Ply Gem, headquartered in Cary, N.C., is a leading manufacturer of exterior building products in North America. Ply Gem produces a comprehensive product line of windows and patio doors, vinyl and aluminum siding and accessories, designer accents, cellular PVC trim and mouldings, vinyl fencing and railing, stone veneer and gutterware, used in both new construction and home repair and remodeling in the United States and Canada. Visit www.plygem.com for more information.

About Darius Rucker

Rucker first attained multi-platinum status in the music industry as former lead singer and rhythm guitarist of Grammy Award-winning Hootie & the Blowfish. Since re-introducing himself to the world as a country artist, he has released four consecutive albums to top the Billboard Country albums chart and earned a whole new legion of fans. In 2014, Rucker won his third career Grammy Award for Best Solo Country Performance for his quadruple-platinum selling cover of Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel,” off his album “True Believers.” Rucker’s first two country albums “Learn To Live” and “Charleston, SC 1966” produced five No. 1 singles, including “Come Back Song,” “This,” “Alright,” “It Won’t Be Like This For Long” and “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It.” “Southern Style,” his fourth studio country album, features his latest No. 1 single “Homegrown Honey,” co-written by Rucker, label mate Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum and Nathan Chapman. After wrapping his 2016 “Good for a Good Time” tour, Rucker released his heartfelt Top five-and-climbing single, “If I Told You,” to country radio. For more information and tour dates visit www.dariusrucker.com.

Tweet me:Professional builders help build or improve 200 homes in one week with @Habitat_Org http://bit.ly/2sXD5YU #HomeBuildersBlitz

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Community Development, Home Builders Blitz, Habitat for Humanity, Ply Gem, Darius Rucker

Grant Funding Supports Center and Company’s Mission of Environmental Stewardship

SOURCE:Consumers Energy

DESCRIPTION:

Consumers Energy employees are taking part in volunteer efforts this spring to support environmental stewardship and sustainability throughout Michigan. Lansing’s Fenner Nature Center is one of the beneficiaries, thanks to employee Scott McPhail.

McPhail, an engineer with Consumers Energy in Jackson, has been an active volunteer at the Fenner Nature Center for more than two years and also serves on the organization’s board of directors.

He recently received a Volunteer Investment Program grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation recognizing 65 hours he devoted to the nature center. The $450 grant was used to support the overall mission of conservation, education and stewardship of the center and the many programs offered to the community. McPhail also recruited coworkers to volunteer at Fenner’s Earth Day Extravaganza on April 22.

McPhail said he finds the volunteer work very fulfilling. “I find it gratifying to know that people of all ages and backgrounds have a safe place to learn and explore nature, especially in an urban area,” he said.

The Fenner Nature Center encompasses 134 acres in Lansing. The property includes over four miles of trails, including two handicap-accessible paved trail loops. The visitor center has a collection of live native reptiles and amphibians, large picture windows for viewing birds, deer and other wildlife as well as a hands-on children’s exhibit.

“We appreciate the volunteer and financial support of Scott McPhail and Consumers Energy as we continue our 50-year mission of environmental education and recreation for the citizens of greater Lansing,” Liz Roxberry, executive director.

Carolyn Bloodworth, secretary/treasurer of Consumers Energy Foundation, noted that supporting the environment in the communities the company serves is a key focus. “Our employees take great pride in giving back to communities by volunteering for nonprofit organizations supporting many causes. From beautifying lakeshores, parks and nature centers, helping support food banks and walking to raise funds for customers in financial need, these are just some examples of the hundreds of ways employees are giving back,” Bloodworth added.

The Consumers Energy Foundation supports employee and retiree volunteer efforts by awarding Volunteer Investment Program (VIP) grants on their behalf. Those that volunteer 45 or more hours in a 12-month period for a nonprofit organization can receive a grant to benefit their organization.

The Consumers Energy Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Consumers Energy, giving Michigan cities, towns and neighborhoods the extra support needed to build communities that we’re proud to call home. The foundation provides grants and mobilizes volunteers to strengthen local education, social services, the environment, community, economic and cultural development.

Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.7 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

LEARN MORE about Consumers Energy’s efforts to preserve and enhance Michigan’s environment.

Media Contacts 
Terry DeDoes
517-374-2159
Katie Carey
517-788-2395

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com

Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Tweet me:Grant funding supports @FennerNature Center & @ConsumersEnergy mission of environmental #stewardship http://bit.ly/2rZzOvb

KEYWORDS: Environment, Energy, Consumers Energy

By Jenni Bergal

SOURCE:Ray C. Anderson Foundation

SUMMARY:

The long-term goal of The Ray is to build the world’s first sustainable road, a highway that could create its own clean, renewable energy and generate income by selling power to utility companies, while producing no stormwater runoff or other pollution and eliminating traffic deaths.

DESCRIPTION:

Just past the Alabama border, in a bit of rural Georgia filled with manufacturing plants and distribution warehouses, there’s an 18-mile stretch of Interstate 85 where new technologies are being tested for what could be a green highway of the future.

The long-term goal is to build the world’s first sustainable road, a highway that could create its own clean, renewable energy and generate income by selling power to utility companies, while producing no stormwater runoff or other pollution and eliminating traffic deaths.

The project, called The Ray, is an unusual collaboration between state agencies, private companies, and a family foundation that is paying for it. For now, much of the action is centered around the West Point visitors center at exit 2, where there’s the first drivable solar road surface available to the public in North America and, out back, a drive-thru automated tire safety station.

Continue reading on PEW Charitable Trusts | Stateline >>>

Tweet me:.@TheRayHighway is a collaboration between state agencies, private companies, and a private family foundation http://bit.ly/2sjvO9v

Contact Info:

Valerie Bennett
Ray C. Anderson Foundation
+1 (770) 317-5858
valerie@raycandersonfoundation.org

Anna Cullen
The Ray
+1 (404) 405-2685
anna@theray.org

KEYWORDS: Green Infrastructure, Renewable Energy, Ray C. Anderson Foundation, The Ray, sustainable highway

SOURCE:Bloomberg

DESCRIPTION:

Originally posted on www.nytimes.com.

Representatives of American cities, states and companies are preparing to submit a plan to the United Nations pledging to meet the United States’ greenhouse gas emissions targets under the Paris climate accord, despite President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the agreement.

The unnamed group — which, so far, includes 30 mayors, three governors, more than 80 university presidents and more than 100 businesses — is negotiating with the United Nations to have its submission accepted alongside contributions to the Paris climate deal by other nations.

“We’re going to do everything America would have done if it had stayed committed,” Michael Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor who is coordinating the effort, said in an interview.

To read the full story, click here. 

Tweet me:Bucking Trump, These Cities, States and Companies Commit to Paris Accord @mikebloomberg #parisagreement http://bit.ly/2rUVPeH

KEYWORDS: Environment, Energy, mikebloomberg, philanthropy, bloombergphilanthropies, bloombergdotorg, Bloomberg, trump, parisaccord, climatechange

Creation of new impact investment program, managed by CA Capital Management, will accelerate the organization's funding of research, exploration and education, inspiring solutions for the global good

SOURCE:21st Century Fox

DESCRIPTION:

Tweet me:.@NatGeo Society commits $50M of endowment to #impact investments: http://bit.ly/2s0bBVt @21CF_Impact @JoinCambridge

KEYWORDS: Environment, Education, 21st century fox, National Geographic, cambridge associates, Donation, endowment, Science, exploration, Research, storytelling, nonprofit

SOURCE:Newmont Mining Corporation

DESCRIPTION:

Newmont is a member of Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), a global non-profit organization that works with a network of more than 250 member companies and other partners to build a just and sustainable world.

Recently, members of our team, including Beatrice Opoku-Asare, Director, Global Inclusion and Diversity, Adiki Ayitevie, Newmont Ghana’s Senior Director, Communication and External Relations, and Boakyewaa Glover, Regional HR Manager, Organizational Effectiveness, participated in a BSR webinar titled Business Action for Women’s Economic Empowerment in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Alison J. Taylor, BSR’s Director, Advisory Services, kicked off the webinar with a brief introduction to the organization’s research into the state of women’s empowerment in sub-Saharan Africa. Alison and her team found evidence that companies can generate additional business value from inclusive economic growth and gender equality. While the report gives recommendations for ways that the private sector can contribute to women’s economic empowerment, Alison highlighted that real progress requires implementation: “It’s easy to say what companies should be doing, but what does this look like when you’re inside a company trying to make this happen?”

To provide insight on the work happening inside our company, Beatrice shared Newmont’s global inclusion and diversity strategy and spoke about the priorities inside each of its key pillars: workplace, workforce and community. “Our focus to enhance understanding of our inclusion value company-wide is supported through formal structures, such as Business Resource Groups, while our work to build a workforce that better reflects the diversity of society is supported through leadership training and advocacy. We want to make sure we are tapping into the different skill set that every individual brings to the organization, and are working to make sure that when people hear about Newmont, they see it as a company where they can thrive and where they can be themselves.”

Boakyewaa and Adiki joined in the conversation to share Newmont Ghana’s region-specific efforts as they relate to the BSR business action framework, one of which includes the formation of the Ahafo Women’s Consultative Committee (WCC) to enhance women’s participation in community decision making. Boakyewaa added, “Building inclusion and diversity does not happen by accident. It must be deliberate and proactive. Our formal strategy in the region is set in three-year blocks so we can be concise and concrete about what we want to achieve.”

Newmont’s focus on inclusion is critical to engaging the whole organization – not just female employees. As Beatrice explained, “We want to make sure that we get to a point where inclusion does not become a stand-alone item, but is really integrated into all of the work we are doing from a supply chain perspective, from a safety perspective, and just woven into the organization as a whole.”

Read more about BSR’s recommendations for business action on their website, and to find out more about Newmont’s global inclusion and diversity strategy, visit our 2016 report, Beyond the Mine.

Tweet me:As a member of Business For #SocialResponsibility @Newmont works to build a more just and #sustainable world http://bit.ly/2s0Y4Nr

KEYWORDS: Diversity & Inclusion, Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Women's Empowerment, Business for Social Responsibility, Newmont Mining

SOURCE:Consumers Energy

DESCRIPTION:

The subject of “energy” never gets old in the state of Michigan. We’re surrounded by massive, powerful bodies of water, we pump natural gas and oil through pipelines that run beneath the Straits of Mackinac, and there’s an ongoing conversation about replacing coal plants with renewable source such as water and solar. Meanwhile, our energy infrastructure is aging and overburdened, making lengthy and vast power-outages more common. 

Gerry Anderson, CEO of DTE Energy, and Patti Poppe, CEO of Consumers Energy, join Stephen Henderson on Detroit Today to discuss energy in Michigan — both now and in the future. 

Listen to the complete interview here 

Tweet me:On @wdet Michigan’s major utilities react to Paris climate withdrawal, discuss energy landscape http://bit.ly/2rZBsg7 @ConsumersEnergy

KEYWORDS: Media & Communications, Environment, Consumers Energy

Visiting Our Partner Fonkoze in Haiti

SOURCE:Whole Foods Market Foundations

SUMMARY:

Loosely translated, borrowers from Fonkoze’s Okoto branch are singing ‘Women are like reeds. They can cut us down. They can uproot us. But when the rain comes back, we will bloom again.’ 

DESCRIPTION:

In February, we visited our microfinance partner Fonkoze in Haiti. The team visited the southwestern peninsula – the area hardest hit by Hurricane Matthew. Having visited the area three months after the hurricane, we were able to see operations beginning to normalize at the community level and branch level. Most of the clients we met were not able to resume activities until after they were able to recapitalize their existing loan. We see this as yet another good example of where Whole Planet Foundation’s funding can have an invaluable impact and support long term reconstruction after natural disasters.

Learn more about the Whole Planet Foundations travels on their official BLOG HERE.

Tweet me:.@WholePlanet reports from the field, visiting their Partner Fonkoze in Haiti http://bit.ly/2sXRpk9

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Media & Communications, whole planet foundation

$4 million, three-year grant will support Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) STEM and college readiness programs and AchieveMpls Career & College Centers in MPS high schools

SOURCE:Cargill

DESCRIPTION:

MINNEAPOLIS, June 9, 2017 /3BL Media/ — As the school year wraps up, local partners are looking ahead with a focus on practical solutions to help close the achievement gap and prepare the future workforce.

Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) and AchieveMpls, in partnership with the Cargill Foundation, today announced a major three-year investment of $4 million for MPS Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID); Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs; and AchieveMpls Career & College Centers in MPS high schools. The grant will provide critical support for student academic success and career and college readiness through 2020.

Cargill, a global agriculture, food and nutrition company, is the largest local corporate funder for MPS, providing more than $16 million in grants over the last decade. In its headquarters community, the Cargill Foundation invests in programs that help close the achievement gap, prepare students for the future workforce and ensure that children are well nourished so they can learn. This new three-year investment will provide support for the following programs:

Girls in Engineering, Math and Science (GEMS) and Guys in Science and Engineering (GISE) programs. These single-gender after-school and summer programs for grades K-8 offer engaging STEM opportunities for students early in their educational experience.

Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID). This proven college readiness program for middle and high school students is being expanded to 4th & 5th graders to help prepare them for middle school and place them on a college readiness path.

AchieveMpls Career & College Centers. Located in nine MPS high schools (and expanding to two additional MPS schools in fall 2017), these Centers are campus hubs for career and post-secondary planning and offer personalized guidance to 9,000 students each year.

“We are deeply grateful to all those who stand beside Minneapolis Public Schools and make investments in our children’s futures,” said MPS Superintendent Ed Graff. “The Cargill Foundation’s support will help our district better meet our students’ needs while providing enriching educational experiences that prepare them for both school and life. When we come together as a community to serve our kids, we can help them reach their full potential and graduate ready for college and careers.”

“As one of the district’s strongest partners, Cargill is helping MPS achieve its strategic goals of academic excellence and career and college readiness for all students,” said AchieveMpls President and CEO Danielle Grant. “AchieveMpls is honored to help facilitate this collaboration, and will use this generous support for our Career & College Centers to ensure that all MPS students have the guidance and resources they need to access high-demand, living-wage careers.”   

“Cargill’s support will help advance the district’s efforts to increase equitable access to STEM programming and college and career readiness,” said Michelle Grogg, Cargill Foundation Executive Director. “AchieveMpls and Minneapolis Public Schools are working hard to improve academic achievement for all students. Cargill knows that the success of every student shapes the future of our community.”

For more information, contact:
Jane Austin
612-455-1564
jaustin@achievempls.org 

Tom Vandyck
952-742-6246
tom_vandyck@cargill.com.

About Minneapolis Public Schools
In the heart of Minneapolis lies a diverse, urban school district committed to promoting learning and accelerating student outcomes for more than 35,000 students in over 70 schools. Every day, nearly 7,300 devoted staff members help students prepare to graduate college and career ready. Visit our website at www.mpls.k12.mn.us.

About AchieveMpls
As the strategic nonprofit partner of Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS), our shared goal is every student career and college ready. Each year we offer personalized resources and support for 9,000 students through our Career & College Centers in MPS high schools, provide 750 paid internships and work readiness training for Minneapolis youth through the STEP-UP Achieve youth employment program (part of the City of Minneapolis STEP-UP program), connect 800 community volunteers with students as Graduation Coaches and career exploration volunteers, raise support for MPS strategic priorities, and manage MPS school and department funds. Learn more at www.achievempls.org.

About Cargill
Cargill provides food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services to the world. Together with farmers, customers, governments and communities, we help people thrive by applying our insights and 150 years of experience. We have 150,000 employees in 70 countries who are committed to feeding the world in a responsible way, reducing environmental impact and improving the communities where we live and work. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center.

Tweet me:.@Cargill awards $4M grant to support @MPS_News #STEM, college readiness progs + @AchieveMpls in #MN high schools http://bit.ly/2sXVCVh

KEYWORDS: Education, Higher Education Access, Cargill, Minneapolis Public Schools, AchieveMpls, College Readiness programs

SOURCE:Bloomberg

DESCRIPTION:

Originally posted on www.bloomberg.com.

Bloomberg has long believed that environmental sustainability and conservation in the communities in which we live and work is essential. In this edition of Bloomberg 35, we highlight the way Bloomberg as a company and our employees as citizens have partnered with organizations to protect the environment and connect people to nature around the globe.

Trees for Cities
Trees for Cities brings local people together to revive green community spaces where social and environmental impact is greatest. From engaging volunteers with planting trees in urban areas to improve air quality, transforming school grounds into vibrant outdoor spaces and inspiring children to experience nature.

Our involvement with Trees for Cities includes building Edible Playgrounds to address environmental degradation, support sustainable livelihoods and promote healthy eating for thousands of children across the U.K. Our volunteers even helped create an environmental art installation by Konstantin Dimopolous, coloring trees with eco-friendly paint to highlight the scarcity of urban wildlife across London.

To read the full story, click here. 

Tweet me:Bloomberg 35: Continuing a legacy of connecting with and protecting nature around the world @bloomberg http://bit.ly/2rUCTN7

KEYWORDS: Environment, Bloomberg, bloombergimpact, mikebloomberg, philanthropy, bloombergphilanthropies, bloombergdotorg, environment, treesfor cities, royalparksfoundation, centralparkconservancy, anacostiawatershed, bloomberg35

SOURCE:America's Charities

DESCRIPTION:

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women ages 15–39 living in the U.S., with more than 12,000 new cases each year. Although breast cancer in young women is rare, there are more than 250,000 women living in the United States today who were diagnosed under age 40. In addition to differences in the disease itself, young women also face unique psychosocial challenges as a result of cancer and its treatment, including issues around mental health, career, fertility, parenting and more.

As the premier organization dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women, Young Survival Coalition (YSC) offers resources, connections and outreach so women feel supported, empowered and hopeful.

With our nation-wide network of support groups, our series of educational navigators, and our online support communities, YSC is dedicated to making sure no young women faces breast cancer alone. Our annual conference, the YSC Summit, is a big part of that, too.

The YSC Summit is the world’s largest conference dedicated to the unique issues that young women with breast cancer face. The Summit brings together hundreds of survivors, co-survivors, and healthcare professionals each year for educational talks from experts in cancer care and survivorship, interactive workshops, and opportunities to connect with others who know what it’s like to be young and facing breast cancer.

Support Young Women with Breast Cancer
Donations from individuals make a powerful statement of support for young women with breast cancer, and help ensure no young woman faces breast cancer alone.

• A $50 gift can stock five doctors’ offices with crucial educational material for young women facing breast cancer
• A $100 gift can place a copy of our Newly Diagnosed Navigator into the hands of ten young women to help them learn how to cope with a breast cancer diagnosis.
• A $250 gift can fund a facilitated online video support group for 25 young women
• A $500 gift can fund 12 in-person meetups for young survivors to connect with each other in their local communities

We also encourage our community to become YSC Champions and host their own fundraisers for YSC. To learn more about YSC and to support our work, visit www.youngsurvival.org.

Support Young Survival Coalition (YSC) Through Your Employee Giving Program:
As YSC's workplace giving partner, America’s Charities can help your company design and implement a program centered on supporting their work - through workplace giving campaigns, employee fundraising, cause-focused signature programs, volunteerism, matching gifts, Dollars-for-Doers, In-Kind Giving and other employee engagement and philanthropic initiatives. Click here to request a demo and learn how we can help you do this.

Tweet me:.@AmerCharities: No Young Woman Should Face Breast Cancer Alone and thanks to @YSCBuzz they don't have to http://impact.ac/2rIslQo

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Health & Healthcare, America's Charities, workplace giving, employee giving, Fundraising, Crowdfunding, payroll deduction giving, charity vetting, social responsibility, csr, Cancer, Young Survival Coalition

SOURCE:AkzoNobel

DESCRIPTION:

Local talents and artists showcased their creativity in mural art at selected Starbucks stores in Malaysia this week, celebrating the newly launched campaign "Show Your Flavor", which focuses on self-expression through color this summer. Artists created their masterpieces on Starbucks' store walls using colorful paints provided by AkzoNobel.

The murals will be painted on several selected stores in Klang Valley and Penang, and the plan is to add more stores with other themes in the future.

"This summer, the iconic Frappuccino blended beverages are inspired by our customers' personalities: fun, creative and bold. We created beverages that match customers' summer moods, handcrafted to match their summer personalities," said Mr. Sydney Quays, CEO of Berjaya Food Berhad. "These artists get to show their personality by expressing their colors and creativity through mural art at Starbucks. We love seeing how creative they are at expressing their summer feelings."

"We are excited to join forces with Starbucks to allow talented artists to showcase their creativity with the colors of summer. This initiative fits very well with AkzoNobel's continuous effort in supporting local talent and our Human Cities Initiative, which is our commitment to improving, energizing and regenerating urban communities across the world," said Mr. Indra Laban, General Manager of AkzoNobel Decorative Paints Malaysia. "We strongly believe in the power of paint to transform people's lives by uplifting communities and making living spaces more fun, liveable and enjoyable. These walls have now become tools for inspiration and connection."

Tweet me:.@AkzoNobel & @Starbucks partnering up to create 'Show Your Flavor' murals http://bit.ly/2s4aqnM

KEYWORDS: Awards, Ratings & Rankings, Media & Communications, AkzoNobel, Starbucks, murals

SOURCE:Duke Energy

DESCRIPTION:

Healthy waterways are vital to the communities Duke Energy serves. But we can’t do it alone.

Over the past two years, Duke Energy’s Water Resources Fund has helped fund 59 projects by organizations across the Carolinas and Virginia, providing support for the good work done by others.

The fund helps support projects that strengthen water quality, reinforce the importance of conservation, and expand public access to waterways for citizens and visitors across the region.

At the end of 2016, the fund had awarded more than $5 million – more than halfway to its $10 million multiyear commitment from Duke Energy. Recipients are selected by an independent body that includes five environmental experts and two Duke Energy employees.

Among the allocations was a $15,000 grant to Clemson University in South Carolina to sponsor a graduate level course for K-12 teachers that explores the interrelationship of energy production, water and the environment. This course is taught by Clemson University faculty members, a S.C. Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist and Duke Energy scientists.

Also, the Conservation Fund received $100,000 to protect critical acreage that contains the headwaters of the French Broad River in the Headwaters State Forest in North Carolina.

Learn more about our commitment to the environment in our 2016 Sustainability Report. 

Tweet me:.@DukeEnergy #Water Resource Fund supports Carolinas and Virginia #conservation projects http://bit.ly/2riC90G #sustainability

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Environment, Duke Energy, sustainability

Champion, one of HanesBrands top brands, was official apparel supplier of Special Olympics USA

SOURCE:HanesBrands Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. June 9, 2017 /3BL Media/ – HanesBrands’ Champion athleticwear is celebrating its 20th year of supporting the Special Olympics USA National Team. Champion outfitted the team’s winter athletes this year in Austria and will support the team’s athletes in the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Champion provided more than 2,500 pieces of apparel for 147 athletes and 53 coaches, trainers and medical staff. The brand has served as official sponsor of the team for the past 20 years.

Champion produced polos, sublimated polos, balaclava masks, mock turtlenecks, long sleeve T-shirts, pullover fleece, reverse weave fleece hoodies and travel pants for team members competing in alpine skiing, cross country skiing, figure skating, speed skating, snowboarding and snowshoeing. In addition, Champion produced the on-court uniforms for the floor hockey team.

“Champion supports the mission of Special Olympics USA National Team,” said Linda Rephann, senior marking manager for HanesBrands who attended the games. “Special Olympics is all about inclusion and helping athletes be the very best they can be. We believe that inside everyone is the heart of a Champion.”

Rephann, who has a heartfelt connection with Special Olympics’ mission, is a mother of a child with intellectual disabilities. “The joy you see on the faces of the participants, if they finish last or first, is awe-inspiring. The athletes utter the joy of participating. It’s the true meaning of sportsmanship. Special Olympics is about inclusion,” said Rephann.

Rephann was moved by one particular athlete, Daina Shilts, 26, from Wisconsin who competed in the snowboarding event. Rephann said Shilts was overjoyed as she stood at the podium to accept her medal in her Champion gear. Shilts exclaimed, “I came and did my very best. I matter.”

Special Olympics provides meaningful training and competition opportunities to individuals with intellectual disabilities. During the Winter Special Olympics World games, more than 3,000 athletes from 110 countries competed in events. 

Special Olympics
Special Olympics is an international organization that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports everyday around the world. Through work in sports, health education and community building, Special Olympics is addressing inactivity, injustice, intolerance and social isolation by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities which leads to a more welcoming and inclusive society. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes to nearly four million athletes in over 170 countries. With the support of more than one million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics is able to deliver 32 Olympic-type sports and more than 53,000 competitions throughout the year. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org. Engage with us on:Twitter @specialolympics; fb.com/specialolympics; youtube.com/specialolympicshq, and specialolympicsblog.wordpress.com.

Champion
Since 1919 Champion athleticwear has offered a full line of innovative athletic apparel for men and women including, activewear, team uniforms, fanwear, fleece, sports bras, and accessories. In addition, Champion has also collaborated on premium apparel items with an exclusive collection with Todd Snyder, a Men's line for the Urban/Street market at Urban Outfitters and custom specialty items for Supreme. Champion Athleticwear can be purchased at most sporting goods and department stores. Check us out at www.facebook.com/champion or follow us on Twitter @Championusa and on Instagram @champion_usa. Champion is a brand of Hanesbrands Inc. (NYSE:HBI)

HanesBrands
HanesBrands, based in Winston-Salem, N.C., is a socially responsible leading marketer of everyday basic innerwear and activewear apparel in the Americas, Europe, Australia and Asia-Pacific. The company sells its products under some of the world’s strongest apparel brands, including Hanes, Champion, Maidenform, DIM, Bali, Playtex, Bonds, JMS/Just My Size, Nur Die/Nur Der, L’eggs, Lovable, Wonderbra, Berlei, and Gear for Sports. The company sells T-shirts, bras, panties, shapewear, underwear, socks, hosiery, and activewear produced in the company’s low-cost global supply chain. A member of the S&P 500 stock index, Hanes has approximately 68,000 employees in more than 40 countries and is ranked No. 432 on the Fortune 500 list of America’s largest companies by sales. Hanes takes pride in its strong reputation for ethical business practices. The company is the only apparel producer to ever be honored by the Great Place to Work Institute for its workplace practices in Central America and the Caribbean, and is ranked No. 110 on the Forbes magazine list of America’s Best Large Employers. For eight consecutive years, Hanes has won the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star sustained excellence/partner of the year award – the only apparel company to earn sustained excellence honors. The company ranks No. 172 on Newsweek magazine’s green list of 500 largest U.S. companies for environmental achievement. More information about the company and its corporate social responsibility initiatives, including environmental, social compliance and community improvement achievements, may be found at www.Hanes.com/corporate. Connect with HanesBrands via social media on Twitter (@hanesbrands) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/hanesbrandsinc).

Tweet me:.@ChampionUSA Celebrates 20-Year Sponsorship w #SpecialOlympics USA National Team @specialolyUSA http://bit.ly/2t2lVJX @HanesBrands

Contact Info:

Matt Hall
HanesBrands
+1 (336) 519-3386
matt.hall@hanes.com

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Events, Media & Communications, HanesBrands, Hanes, Special Olympics, Special Olympics USA National Team, Gerald Evans, Daina Shilts, Champion Athleticwear

by Stuart Winchester, Viacom

SOURCE:Viacom

DESCRIPTION:

There’s a reason that hunters, bicycle messengers, construction workers, joggers and anyone else with a compelling reason to stand out drape themselves in orange: it works. After all, it is hard to be mistaken for a deer when you are wearing a blaze-orange insulated onsie in a snow-filled forest.

Yet, safety orange is not a widespread part of the everyday American wardrobe, because why should it be? Most Americans are not traipsing through the forest on a deer hunt or delivering pizzas via bicycle on a daily basis.

And yet, 93 people die, on average, every day from gun violence. Seven of them are children or teens. Hundreds more are injured. Every. Single. Day. With 12,000 annual gun murders, America’s gun homicide rate is 25 times greater than the average of other developed nations.

It is an ongoing crisis in plain sight. And it often seems as though it is being widely ignored by lawmakers and others. On June 2, Viacom once again teamed up with Everytown for Gun Safety for Wear Orange, a statement initiative declaring that change is needed. Their weapon was one that cannot be ignored: orange clothing.

Viacom unleashed the power of multiple brands to support the initiative across a variety of on-air and outdoor platforms. The company’s headquarters, a tower heaving from the center of Times Square, served as the epicenter of this support, with the building lit orange along the New York City skyline and a public service announcement – created in conjunction with Everytown and HUGE – playing on the enormous video screens hanging off the building’s eastern facade.

The company rallied employees who were interested in supporting the cause, inviting them to wear orange on June 2 in support of the cause via a series of emails. The company also hosted events on the East and West Coasts during which employees could decorate cards for survivors and the families of those affected by gun violence.

MTV, BET, LOGO, TV Land, and VH1 supported Wear Orange by turning their on-air bugs and social media handles orange, then supporting the initiative with posts throughout the day, and some Viacom networks also airing the Wear Orange PSA.

Friends of 15-year-old Chicago resident Hadiya Pendleton formed Wear Orange after she was gunned down in 2013, just one week after performing in President Obama’s second inaugural parade.

Through its Viacommunity initiative, Viacom is committed to improving our communities. More than 4,000 employees around the world rallied to support local projects at the 21st annual Viacommunity Day last month. Individual employees frequently undertake extraordinary efforts on behalf of others, while the company sponsors opportunities to give back through initiatives such as Cycle for Survival and the company’s Talent for Good program, which matches skilled employees with nonprofit organizations in need of those abilities.

Tweet me:.@Viacom once again joins @Everytown for Gun Safety to #WearOrange and fight violence http://bit.ly/2sYGAhU

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Partnership for the Goals, Viacom, Everytown for Gun Safety, Wear Orange, gun violence, Viacommunity

SOURCE:Bloomberg

DESCRIPTION:

Alphabet Inc.’s Google, Microsoft Corp. and Facebook Inc. are among dozens of companies that pledged their support for policies combating climate change following President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris accord.

The “We Are Still In” coalition also features nine states, including California and New York, scores of universities, and leaders of 125 cities from Los Angeles to Chicago, according to a statement released Monday.

The initiative is an attempt to coordinate the widespread backlash to Trump’s withdrawal from the landmark environmental agreement. Many of the companies and politicians who signed up have been advocating for months for the U.S. to uphold its climate change commitments. The statement is intended to demonstrate to other nations that U.S. businesses and local governments remain on board, no matter what the president does.

“We remain steadfastly committed to the sustainability, carbon and energy goals that we have set as a company and to the Paris Agreement’s ultimate success,” Microsoft President Brad Smith said in the statement.

Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, founder and majority owner of Bloomberg LP, submitted a letter Monday to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, expressing support for the Paris accord on behalf of the group. Bloomberg also plans to work with cities, states and businesses to set a collective emissions-cutting goal to submit to the UN as “America’s Pledge” under the Paris accord.

To read the full story, click here. 

Tweet me:Google, Facebook Join Cities in Challenging Trump on Climate @mikebloomberg @bloomberg #wearestillin http://bit.ly/2rViWp7

KEYWORDS: Environment, Energy, philanthropy, Bloomberg, climate, Business, Mike Bloomberg, Paris Agreement, Paris Accord

SOURCE:Keep America Beautiful

DESCRIPTION:

Residents visiting Reynoldsburg, Ohio's JFK, Huber and Civic parks will be seeing cleaner public parks thanks to a significant grant made possible by Dr Pepper Snapple Group (NYSE: DPS) in collaboration with Keep America Beautiful.  

Keep Reynoldsburg Beautiful received 30 new park recycling bins in 2017 as a recipient of the Dr Pepper Snapple Group/Keep America Beautiful Park Recycling Bin Grant Program. The recycling bins were unveiled at Reynoldsburg's Community Clean-Up Day on June 3 at JFK Park, and will be available at various events held within the park system. 

"We are excited and honored to have been awarded the Dr. Pepper Grant which provided 30 state of the art recycling bins, valued at over $17,000, for the City of Reynoldsburg," stated Reynoldsburg Parks and Recreation Director Donna Bauman.

Continue reading here.

Tweet me:#FF @kabtweet Affiliate Stories: #KeepReynoldsburgBeautiful unveils new @DPSG park #recycling bins. http://bit.ly/2s5F549

Contact Info:

Mike Rosen
Keep America Beautiful
+1 (203) 659-3008
mrosen@kab.org
http://www.twitter.com/kabtweet
http://www.facebook.com/keepamericabeautiful
http://www.instagram.com/keepamericabeautiful
http://www.youtube.com/kabnetwork

KEYWORDS: Green Infrastructure, Environment, Keep America Beautiful, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Keep Reynoldsburg Beautiful, park recycling

CC Sabathia is #GoingToBat for kids in CA and NY

SOURCE:Major League Baseball Players Trust

DESCRIPTION:

Nearing 37 years of age, Carsten Charles Sabathia is still getting the job done for the New York Yankees. Sabathia, who has the second-most wins (230) among active pitchers in the majors, leads the Yankees with seven wins so far in 2017.

The Vallejo, Calif., native has built a superstar résumé over his 16-year career with Cleveland, Milwaukee and New York – twice leading the majors in wins, six times making the All-Star game, even winning a World Series with the Yankees in 2009 and the AL Cy Young Award with Cleveland in 2007.

And while he’s off to his best start in several seasons, C.C.’s year-in, year-out efforts to assist inner-city kids may eventually become his most lasting legacy.

With his PitCCh In Foundation, which he founded back in 2008, Sabathia developed programs with the goal of helping teens “raise their self-esteem through educational and athletic activities.”

On Monday, June 5, Sabathia and the PitCCh In Foundation continued a tradition with the annual All Stars of New York Bowling Tournament in New York City. Joined by numerous Yankee teammates, friends from the Boston Red Sox, who were in town playing the Yankees, as well as former Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, Sabathia hosted a night of bowling to raise money for the foundation to assist inner city youth.

“Our family loves to bowl so we wanted to do something active as an event for the foundation,” Sabathia told the Players Trust Monday night. “I thought this would be great – to get people to come out, get people excited. It’s just a lot of fun to have my vision of what I like to do, kind of put that on people and let them have fun with it.”

Continue reading on PlayersTrust.org.

Tweet me:#MLBPlayers #GoingToBat -- @CC_Sabathia & @PitCChInFdn are hard at work helping improve the lives of kids in need http://bit.ly/2r2PI4B

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Events, Media & Communications, CC Sabathia, david ortiz, Aaron Judge, Major League Baseball, Major League Baseball Players Association, MLB, MLBPA, Major League Baseball Players Trust, Players Trust, Bowlmor, fundraising bowling tournament

SOURCE:Las Vegas Sands

DESCRIPTION:

A group of 35 Sands China Care Ambassadors spent an afternoon with 40 children and their parents from the Macau Down Syndrome Association, taking them on an “Amazing Race” through several DreamWorks Experience-themed adventures at Sands Cotai Central and The Venetian Macao.  The day ended with a visit to Ice World.   

The group began their adventure together at Sands Cotai Central’s Paradise Gardens, the first of five checkpoints in their fast-paced treasure hunt.  There they were greeted by DreamWorks Experience characters before taking a group photo and embarking on the rest of their journey, which also featured a checkpoint at Sands Cotai Central’s Bridge of Stars.  Their treasure hunt ended at The Venetian Macao, where the group enjoyed a visit together to Kung Fu Panda Adventure Ice World with the DreamWorks All-Stars.

“When volunteers from Sands China take the time to engage and interact with this important segment of our community, the impact is significant,” said Teresa Lao, Chairwoman of the Executive Board of the Macau Down Syndrome Association.  “Our association will continue its work advocating for the rights of people with Down syndrome and enhancing the quality of their lives.  We are grateful for the experience that activities like this provide for our children.”

Since 2009, Sands China has organized community activities for children throughout the year to provide them with fun and excitement, creating joyful interactions between parents and children to help foster healthy and close-knit family relationships.  The company invited children from the Macau Down Syndrome Association to the community event as a way to reach out to the local community by bringing fun to underprivileged families.   

The Ambassadors had previously worked with the Macau Down Syndrome Association when they accompanied children and parents from the association on a visit to the Transformers 30th Anniversary Expo at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo.

The Macau Down Syndrome Association was officially established in March 2014, and has a current membership of 66 people from newborn to age 61.  The non-profit aims to care for and assist individuals with Down syndrome and their families and to raise public awareness.  Sands China has been a financial supporter of the association since 2015.                                                     

The Sands China Care Ambassador program aims to give Sands China employees an opportunity to serve the local community by organizing community activities and initiatives that work toward creating a better community.  With more than 1,500 volunteers from across all Sands China properties, the Sands China Care Ambassadors have contributed more than 10,000 hours of voluntary community service in over 100 activities since the program was founded in August 2009. Sands China Ltd. considers initiatives like Saturday’s activity with the Macau Down Syndrome Association as central to its commitment toward social causes and community involvement in line with Las Vegas Sands’ commitment to making our communities better places to live through philanthropic giving and volunteerism through our corporate giving program, Sands Cares.

Read the latest from Las Vegas Sands via Sands Confidential

Tweet me:Sands China Care Ambassadors invite Macau Down Syndrome Association for an afternoon of fun with DreamWorks http://bit.ly/2sYoEUO

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Diversity & Inclusion, Las Vegas Sands, Sands China