Month: September 2025

DAVIDSON, N.C., September 10, 2025 /3BL/ – Trane®—by Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT), a global climate innovator, has extended its chiller plant control facility programming application, specific to the unique operating needs and conditions of modern data centers, through Trane’s Tracer SC+ system controller. Harnessing Trane’s deep systems knowledge and expertise, chiller plant control converts complex programming into a simplified, efficient solution that can be customized to meet unique needs.

As AI pushes data centers to new extremes, Trane is uniquely positioned to lead with whole-system thermal management solutions, helping to achieve peak performance, reliability, and operational efficiency. Tracer chiller plant control runs sophisticated strategies that dynamically manage the rotation, staging and sequencing of multiple chillers, simplifying system control and expediting startup and commissioning.

“Thermal management is a performance multiplier, separating peak performance from failure,” said Steve Obstein, Vice President and General Manager, Data Centers, Trane Technologies. “It’s not just about components — it’s about how the whole system performs under pressure, and that’s where chiller plant control comes in.”

Unlike other variable, custom solutions that address pieces of the system, Trane designs and delivers high-quality and configurable solutions throughout the entire thermal management lifecycle. Tracer chiller plant control plays a key role in Trane’s full-service approach for achieving and maintaining efficient and effective data center cooling, across installation, operation and long-term system maintenance.  Through precise control algorithms and actionable insights, chiller plant control orchestrates greater efficiency throughout the entire data center and helps reduce wear and tear for extended equipment lifespan.

Trane controls serve as the backbone of intelligent systems, enabling advanced thermal management through seamless data flow to help detect issues early, maintain performance and operate within a secure digital framework that meets the demands of modern data centers. Through Trane Autonomous Control, connected tools, and smart services, Trane equips thousands of local Trane service experts across North America and our customers with the tools needed to resolve issues fast and efficiently.

Trane continues to strengthen its comprehensive thermal management systems portfolio for data centers through a series of custom innovations that include scalable liquid cooling platforms, an efficient fan coil wall platform, larger capacity and higher operating ambient temperature air-cooled chillers, and a modern Computer Room Air Handler (CRAH) solution, engineered for AI workloads, sustainability, and future growth. For more information about Trane’s services for data centers, visit www.trane.com/datacenterwww.trane.com/datacenter.

About Trane 

Trane®—by Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT), a global climate innovator—creates comfortable, energy efficient indoor environments through a broad portfolio of heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems and controls, services, parts and supply. For more information, please visit www.trane.com or www.tranetechnologies.com.

© 2025 Trane. All Rights Reserved.  
All trademarks referenced in this document are the trademarks of their respective owners.

Trane does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. This material is for informational purposes only and it should not be relied on for tax, legal, or accounting advice. Tax law is subject to continual change. All decisions are your responsibility and you should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors. Trane disclaims any responsibility for actions taken on the material presented. 

With nearly 40% of carbon emissions coming from the built environment, the construction industry is building and renovating more and more sustainably. With innovative solutions and new construction methods, we have a whole new vocabulary that this podcast is going to decipher for you!

Building Operating Systems (BOS) are truly intelligent systems, guaranteeing the comfort of building occupants and providing invaluable support for proper maintenance. They are also important allies in reducing energy consumption in buildings. So, how do they work, where are they installed, and what is their development potential?

Listen here B…for Building Operating System, a Saint-Gobain Podcast

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group, celebrating its 360th anniversary in 2025, remains more committed than ever to its purpose “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.

€46.6 billion in sales in 2024
More than 161,000 employees, locations in 80 countries
Committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050

Habitat for Humanity Mexico (HPHM) partnered with families in the Monte Sion community of San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, to build 11 new homes. Working together with the homeowners, these homes will benefit 42 community members, 19 adults and 23 children. Part of the Lekil’Na project, a name given by the community meaning “sustainable housing” in Tzotzil, the homes reflect a shared commitment to stronger, healthier living spaces.

The homes are sustainable, affordable, and adequate, with legal certainty of ownership, and utilize solar panels and energy-efficient wood-burning stoves. They were built with sustainable materials such as concrete blocks using RESIN8™, a technology that transforms non-recyclable plastic waste into concrete blocks and floors, demonstrating greater durability and reliability in the construction process.

The homes are being certified under the EDGE system, thanks to 3Lotus Consulting and GBCI Mexico. EDGE is an innovation of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. This certification demonstrates that it is possible to develop social housing that meets international standards of sustainability, efficiency, and well-being.

This project was made possible thanks to the partnership between Habitat for Humanity Mexico and CRDC Mexico, which secured investment from Wesco International and Dow. Together, they made this replicable sustainability model a reality. It seeks to inspire the public, private, and social sectors to rethink how we build and for whom we build. It is hoped that more companies will soon join these types of social investment initiatives so that we can all live with dignity without compromising the future of the planet.

 

Cummins

A backup power failure at a wastewater facility can lead to immediate and severe consequences. Pumps stop, tanks overflow, leaving contaminants easy access to our waterways. What started as a brief outage, then turns into a major public health and environmental emergency. Though rare, such failures can trigger a chain reaction: beach closures, boil water advisories, infrastructure damage, and loss of public trust.

When it comes to safeguarding critical infrastructure like wastewater facilities, reliability doesn’t start and stop with installation; it requires a trusted partner who understands the full lifecycle of standby power. That’s where Cummins stands apart.

Cummins provides top-quality generator systems along with the expert support that wastewater facilities rely on— like technical know-how, regular maintenance, and fast service. Brian Pumphrey, Director of Sales Application, has over 20 years of experience with power systems. He says Cummins builds trust by delivering reliable performance, staying proactive with service, and truly understanding the industry.

“Reliability is everything,” said Pumphrey. “It’s not just about having a generator, it’s about knowing it will work when you need it. That’s why planned maintenance, quality fuel and healthy batteries are so important.”

With decades of experience supporting municipalities and engineering teams, Cummins helps design systems that reflect how wastewater managers really operate: with high stakes, limited resources, and zero tolerance for failure. From remote pumping stations to major treatment plants, Cummins supports:

• Customized system design to match infrastructure needs
• Preventive maintenance plans tailored to usage and location
• Fuel testing and polishing services to ensure performance
• Portable power solutions for emergency response
• 24/7 service and support that prioritizes uptime and trust

“While many of these systems will be considered a NFPA 110 Level 2 application in the eyes of the code… in the eyes of the people running the wastewater treatment plant, they’re going to see it as a NFPA 110 Level 1 system,” Pumphrey said. “They don’t care what the code says, they care that it starts and runs when needed. They want it designed like it is a life safety application.”

Designing for resilience means thinking beyond codes and into real-world conditions. That’s why Cummins works closely with facility managers, consulting engineers and municipal leaders to ensure every system is engineered for performance, not just on paper but in practice. Whether it’s ensuring quiet operations near residential neighborhoods, preparing for wildlife-related outages in California or meeting strict emissions requirements, Cummins delivers solutions built for the environments they serve.

For a standby power solution built for your infrastructure, environment and peace of mind, visit cummins.com/customer-assistance to learn how Cummins can support your wastewater facility — from design to deployment and beyond.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., September 10, 2025 /3BL/ – Discovery Education is now offering a new collection of high-quality digital content, immersive learning resources, and virtual field trips to boost student engagement in career exploration during Workforce Development Month and beyond. Discovery Education is the creator of essential PreK-12 learning solutions used in classrooms around the world.

Created in 2005 by the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals, Workforce Development Month raises awareness about the importance of the workforce industry to the economy. The resources now available from Discovery Education include:

Careers Hub: The Careers Hub on Discovery Education Experience, the essential companion for engaged K-12 classrooms, is a curated collection of resources aligned to 14 career clusters. The profiles, virtual field trips, and immersive tools within the Careers Hub inspire students by connecting learning to real-world goals. Educators can easily find career resources, skill-building activities, and more in this easy-to-use center.

Career Connect: Available to all users of Discovery Education Experience, the award-winning Career Connect fosters student engagement by connecting classroom learning to real-world applications and potential careers. Through Career Connect, educators request virtual classroom visits from industry professionals, selecting from an array of job types, industries, languages, and locations. Career Connect now features the IF/THEN® STEM video collection, through which classrooms can view career profiles of dynamic STEM careers and extend the learning by connecting directly with virtual speakers in similar roles.

Immersive Learning

• In Operation Communication, a new immersive game from the STEM Careers Coalition, students in grades 6-12 experience a day in the life of an employee in a simulated workplace, navigating production schedules, team dynamics, and customer satisfaction. Players practice a wide range of active skills with a focus on effective communication in the workplace to keep the production line running smoothly and create happy customers. Students can then use the new Career Finder tool to explore career pathways based on their interests. Powered by the STEM Careers Coalition, these resources help students find out about new careers and discover how classroom learning connects to real-world possibilities. The STEM Careers Coalition is an alliance of industries and non-profit organizations providing 11M+ students with equitable access to STEM resources and career connections since its launch in 2019.
• The cutting edge Haul! Learning Experience is designed to provide students in grades 6-12 the opportunity to discover how copper ore makes its way into the items that power our day. A part of Dig Into Mining – The Story of Copper, the educational program created in partnership with Freeport-McMoRan that uncovers the use of metals such as copper in our everyday life, HAUL!  challenges students to navigate their way through a 3D copper mine to earn their Haul Truck Operator’s Scorecard while learning how STEM is used in this larger-than-life operation.
• HARVEST: From Seed to Success empowers students to step into the role of a farmer and discover what it takes to grow a successful harvest. In the experience, students consult agricultural professionals to analyze a soil sample, select crops and fertilizers, identify the right moment to harvest, and simulate operating a combine to harvest crops. An accompanying educator guide and ready-to-use student activities make it easy for educators to integrate the resource into any lesson plan. This resource is from Cooperative Minds, an educational initiative from Discovery Education and the CHS Foundation.

Discover more free immersive learning resources from Discovery Education and partners here.

Virtual Field Trips

• Forging Innovation: A Mission Possible Virtual Field Trip: Journey into the world of steel, one of the most essential and versatile materials in modern society. During this new virtual field trip, students will explore how steel is made from raw materials, how its properties can be altered through different processes, and why it’s a cornerstone of innovation in architecture and structural engineering. Through real-world examples and design challenges, students discover how engineers and architects use steel to solve complex problems. This content is powered by Nucor and available from the STEM Careers Coalition.

This virtual field trip premieres on October 9, 2025, and is designed for students in grades 6-12.

• Careers at Sea and Shore: A Virtual Field Trip to Maritime Manufacturing Centers: This virtual field trip shows students the world of marine innovation as they explore how submarines are built and the amazing careers behind them. Discover how the healthy, drug-free choices you make today can lead to meaningful and rewarding careers in the future. Students meet engineers, welders, and technicians who are creating future national security systems that can operate underwater. This virtual field trip, funded through the Defense Department’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program, is part of Operation Prevention, a program with the Drug Enforcement Administration providing no-cost online tools that support every member of the community with the power of prevention. 

  This virtual field trip premieres on October 29, 2025, and is designed for students in grades 6-12.

Discover more Discovery Education virtual field trips here or on the Virtual Field Trips channel in Discovery Education Experience.

Finally, Discovery Education recently launched the Education Insights 2025–2026: Fueling Learning Through Engagement report, which explores how engagement is defined, observed, and nurtured in classrooms. To further support educators’ efforts to engage students during Workforce Development Month and beyond, on Thursday, October 8 at 2:00 PM ET, Discovery Education is hosting a special, town hall-style webinar during which education leaders from across the nation will share their thoughts and insights on this report and its findings. All educators are encouraged to attend this no-cost event. Discover details and register for this event here.

“Discovery Education is proud to collaborate with its partners to make this new collection of engaging resources available to teachers nationwide,” said Catherine Dunlop, Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships at Discovery Education. “With more than 170 million new jobs projected to be created by 2030, engaging students by connecting classroom learning to real-world careers is critical. With these career readiness resources, educators can effectively engage students about workforce opportunities.”

For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. 

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About Discovery Education 
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art, PreK-12, digital solutions help educators engage all students and support higher academic achievement. Through award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, and innovative classroom tools that are effective, engaging, and easy to use, Discovery Education helps educators deliver powerful learning experiences. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Through partnerships with districts, states, and trusted organizations, Discovery Education empowers teachers with essential edtech solutions that inspire curiosity, build confidence, and accelerate learning. Learn more at www.discoveryeducation.com. 

Contact 
Grace Maliska
Discovery Education
Email: gmaliska@discoveryed.com

Originally published on Tork Newsroom

Tork, an Essity brand, and the Philadelphia Eagles are partnering to raise awareness, and promote the benefits, of proper hygiene access in the Philadelphia community through the Tackle Hygiene with Every Catch campaign. Now in its fifth year, the campaign has become a powerful tradition, converting the team’s success of a total 1,418 receptions since the 2021 season, into $141,800 worth of sustainable hygiene products donated to local Philadelphia charities to-date. This year, for every catch the Eagles make during the season, Tork will donate $100 worth of sustainable hygiene products to Ronald McDonald House Philadelphia.

As part of the donation, Tork will upgrade the Chestnut Street house with its industry-leading hygiene solutions such as:

• Certified easy-to-use hand towel, toilet, soap and sanitizer dispensers
• Dermatologically tested and allergy-friendly soap and sanitizer refills
• Surface cleaning wipers
• Yes, but I still need to submit for translations to get

“The Tackle Hygiene Campaign’s generous donation of up to $40,000 in Tork products will support our mission of providing essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing at the Ronald McDonald house on Chestnut Street,” said Nick Guerrino, Corporate Partnerships Manager at RMH Philadelphia. “This donation will help us provide a cleaner and safer environment for the children and families we serve.”

“We’re proud to continue our partnership with the Philadelphia Eagles and Ronald McDonald House Philadelphia as we raise awareness for the importance of removing barriers to hygiene. By upgrading this facility with hygiene solutions that thoughtfully consider the diverse abilities, needs and circumstances of individuals, we’re taking meaningful steps toward making hygiene more accessible for all,” said Raquel Carbonari, Brand Activation Director, Essity.

“We are proud to promote, educate, and encourage proper hygiene in communities across the Greater Philadelphia region with Tork,” said Brian Napoli, Senior Vice President, Corporate Partnerships, Philadelphia Eagles. “Our longstanding partnership has enabled us to provide sustainable hygiene products for those in need through the Tackle Hygiene with Every Catch program. We are thrilled that this year’s campaign will support the mission of Ronald McDonald House Philadelphia.”

To follow the campaign’s donation progress, visit Philadelphia Eagles | Tork Tackle Hygiene with Every Catch.

To learn more about Tork and its mission to eliminate barriers to hygiene in public restrooms, visit Tork Inclusive Hygiene Initiative.

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About Tork
The Tork brand offers professional hygiene products and services to customers worldwide ranging from restaurants and healthcare facilities to offices, schools and industries. Our products include dispensers, paper towels, toilet tissues, soap, napkins and wipers, but also software solutions for data-driven cleaning. Through expertise in hygiene, functional design and sustainability, Tork has become a market leader that supports customers to think ahead so they’re always ready for business. Tork is a global brand of Essity and a committed partner to customers in more than 110 countries. To keep up with the latest Tork news and innovations, please visit www.torkglobal.com/us/en/.

About Essity
Essity is a global, leading hygiene and health company. Every day, our products, solutions and services are used by a billion people around the world. Our purpose is to break barriers to well-being for the benefit of consumers, patients, caregivers, customers and society. Sales are conducted in approximately 150 countries under the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and other strong brands such as Actimove, Cutimed, JOBST, Knix, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Modibodi, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, TOM Organic and Zewa. In 2024, Essity had net sales of approximately 13.8 billion USD and employed 36,000 people. The company’s headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden and Essity is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. More information at essity.com.

About Ronald McDonald House: Philadelphia

Ronald McDonald House Philadelphia provides temporary lodging, transportation, meals, and vital supportive services to families who travel to Philadelphia for pediatric care. We also provide a summer camp for kids with cancer, a mobile dental health clinic for underserved children, and comfortable lounges at local children’s hospitals. Visit www.rmhcphilly.org to learn more.

 

Across Western North Carolina, Cisco Crisis Response and 40 Communities are supporting a coalition of partners and community leaders who have come together to repair and rebuild homes in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

In late September 2024, Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina, leaving behind a trail of catastrophic damage. Floodwaters swallowed roads, bridges crumbled, and families were cut off from power, cell service, and vital resources.

Across the state, over 73,000 homes were damaged or destroyed.

Immediately after the storm, Cisco Crisis Response (CCR) mobilized a team of staff and volunteers to provide secure, critical connectivity to frontline responders including state emergency management teams, hospitals, police, and fire departments.

Now — nearly a year after the storm — we’re still here, working with local leaders and nonprofit partners to forge new alliances and a long-term commitment to the community.

Priority one: repairing and rebuilding homes for low-income homeowners

Throughout this mountainous region known for its natural beauty, the devastation caused by water and wind is still visible.

Without significant assistance, low-income homeowners will be hard pressed to repair their damage – much less rebuild. Less than 1 percent of households in the path of the storm in Western North Carolina (WNC) had flood insurance.

Organizations acting alone cannot fill the overwhelming need for support. That’s why Cisco is investing in a new coalition of forward-thinking nonprofits that have come together to centralize and streamline home repair for uninsured or under-insured, low-income households whose homes were damaged but not destroyed by the storm.

The Asheville Regional Coalition for Home Repair (ARCHR) has emerged as an innovative, collaborative response to the needs of this tight-knit community.

ARCHR – transforming the model for home repair

ARCHR is powered by a partnership of four leading local nonprofits, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, Community Action Opportunities, PODER Emma, and Mountain Housing Opportunities. Each partner brings complementary strengths including administrative and financial expertise, site assessment and HVAC specializations, mobile home and language skills, as well as tenured and experienced delivery repair services. Home repairs address critical needs: roof and porch repairs, mold removal, plumbing, accessibility improvements, and more. Costs range from $7,000 to $25,000 per household.

Cisco has invested $1,000,000 to support this initiative, which is enabled by digital tools that centralize intake, assessment, and prioritization — improving speed, coordination, and equity in disaster response.

By leveraging these digital tools to streamline assessments and prioritize repairs by severity and health impact, ARCHR has not only surpassed its original repair goals for 2025 but has also set a new standard for disaster recovery coalitions.

The coalition is on track to support 130 home repairs in 2025 — 20 above the initial target. As of early July, ARCHR has completed repairs for 73 homes and 65 were in progress.

Restoring homes – and hope

Over the past year, CCR has been laying the groundwork for ongoing opportunities for Cisconians to contribute their time, talent, and expertise to the community.

In early August 2025, a team of 22 CCR team members, volunteers, and Cisco leaders gathered in WNC to connect with this extraordinary coalition, better understand the challenges and possibilities ahead, and to lend a hand.

Over 4 days, the team swung hammers on an Asheville Habitat for Humanity build and met with homeowners who have experienced the life changing impact of home repairs through ARCHR.

Teresa’s story illustrates the deep, personal impact of ARCHR’s work and underscores the coalition’s continued commitment to building resilience and hope in Western North Carolina.

Hurricane Helene left Teresa, a former nurse of 30 years, living without power and water after the storm uplifted her septic tank and destroyed her plumbing. Thanks to ARCHR’s coordinated efforts, Teresa regained safe and accessible living conditions.

With Cisco’s support, ARCHR is focusing on more homeowners like her. To date, more than 600 applications have been submitted and more than 80% are at or below 50% of the area’s median income and qualify as eligible for assistance.

Despite surpassing goals, demand far outpaces current resources. There is a projected need for an additional $8 million over the next 3-4 years.

Moving forward – 40 Communities and the road to resilience

In December 2024, Cisco selected WNC as the first of 40 Communities – our bold new initiative to bring the full force of our capabilities, technology, and people to engage, support, and invest in 40 communities worldwide. As an initial investment, we awarded ARCHR a $1M grant to support home repairs for 110 low-income residents in Buncombe and Madison Counties.

Through 40 Communities, we’ll expand on CCR’s progress and commitment to housing in WNC and use ARCHR’s collaborative approach and use of technology as a model for disaster recovery and housing resilience.

We’ll also build essential infrastructure and cybersecurity, develop digital skills for a future-ready work force, and co-create innovative solutions for what matters most to WNC -building a connected, resilient community that thrives.

If you’d like to join us in supporting Western North Carolina, please consider making a donation or sign up to volunteer to support home building and repair through Asheville Habitat for Humanity.

View original content here.

At Griffith Foods, we believe in nourishing the world – and that starts in our own communities.

We were honored to support North York Harvest at their 40th Anniversary with a $50,000 donation through Griffith Cares. This gift, the largest in their history, will help expand their ability to serve over 30,000 people every month who face food insecurity. Together, we can create better together!

Learn More: https://bit.ly/4fDKNQA

View original content here.

Our Sustainability Journey
At Griffith Foods, we are committed to driving positive impact through a regenerative mindset. Sustainability is connected to everything we do as a business, and by 2030, we are dedicated to significantly improving the future with a singular sustainable business strategy that we call our 2030 Aspirations. To learn more about Griffith Foods and its current sustainability efforts, visit them online and download the 2024 Sustainability Report.

About Griffith Foods
At Griffith Foods, our purpose defines who we are, what we do, and why we exist, highlighting what makes us distinct and authentic in the marketplace. We help our partners meet the evolving needs and desires of consumers in ways that respect and sustain the planet. Our care and creativity mean we’ll find the right mix of global reach and local impact to serve the earth and nourish all of us who call it home.

Panda Express takes flight: company’s first round-trip panda transport

FedEx made history with its first-ever round-trip donated flight operation for panda conservation. We transported Zoo Atlanta’s beloved pandas Lun Lun, Yang Yang, Ya Lun, and Xi Lun to China and returned with two-year-old pandas Qing Bao and Bao Li who are making a new home at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C.

The “Panda Express” Boeing 777 was equipped to ensure the comfort of the Smithsonian’s National
Zoo pandas during their journey with custom-built enclosures for the pandas, along with the presence of animal care specialists and veterinarians.

The new arrivals to the Smithsonian will serve as ambassadors for their species, raising awareness about the threats they face in the wild and the importance of protecting their habitat.

Save the Chimps art exhibition raises $45,000 for conservation

Chimps from the Save the Chimps sanctuary in Fort Pierce, Florida, created artwork that raised $45,000 at Art Expo NY. FedEx donated shipping services for 16 framed canvases as part of the annual expo, which collaborated with celebrity guests, Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara, to raise awareness. Save the Chimps provides care for over 220 chimps retired from laboratories, entertainment, pet trade, and roadside zoos.

We hope these paintings will raise much-needed funds for Save the Chimps’ sanctuary and deepen people’s appreciation of these intelligent apes.

Rooney Mara and Joaquin Phoenix

FedEx delivers fossil collection for climate research

FedEx transported a valuable plant fossil collection from Yale Peabody Museum to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. Dating back 50-66 million years, these specimens document Earth’s ancient warmer climate and now enhance the world’s largest plant fossil archive. This transfer enables scientists to study historical climate patterns and ecosystem changes, providing crucial insights for addressing today’s environmental challenges.

Learn more about FedEx’s commitment to delivering for good in the 2024 FedEx Cares Report.