Month: January 2026

Local Real Estate Team Distributes $105,000 to Seven Pasadena Organizations

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

PASADENA, Calif., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Berns Team, a top-producing Pasadena real estate team, announced the results of its first annual Raise to Give event, where past and current clients voted to determine how the team would donate $105,000 to local nonprofits and community organizations. This year’s client-directed giving effort supports seven Pasadena-area groups making an impact in homelessness, emergency relief, historic preservation, and community development.


The Berns Team All About Relationships

At the heart of Raise to Give is a simple idea: every home bought or sold with The Berns Team helps fuel meaningful change in the community. Instead of choosing the beneficiaries themselves, the team invited their clients—people whose real estate journeys they’ve guided—to vote on where the funds should go.

Following the community vote, The Berns Team distributed donations totaling $105,000, including:

  • $50,000 – Door of Hope
  • $25,000 – Eaton Fire Survivors Network
  • $12,500 – Friends in Deed
  • $7,500 – Eaton Fire Collaborative
  • $5,000 – Harambee Ministries
  • $2,500 – Habitat for Humanity, San Gabriel Valley
  • $2,500 – Pasadena Heritage

“Our mission has always been about more than real estate,” said Laura Berns, co-owner of The Berns Team. “Raise to Give allows us to deepen our connection with our community by empowering our clients to help direct real impact where it’s needed most.”

“Real estate is the vehicle, but giving back is the purpose,” added Jason Berns, co-owner. “We’re incredibly grateful to our clients whose trust in us makes moments like this possible. Their votes shaped this entire initiative.”

The Raise to Give event took place at The Berns Team’s annual Fall Festival Client Appreciation celebration, where over three hundred clients gathered to enjoy food, games, and the announcement of the donation recipients. The initiative reflects The Berns Team’s commitment to using their business success to uplift La Cañada, Altadena, Pasadena and surrounding communities.

The Berns Team plans to expand Raise to Give in 2026 as part of a long-term vision to increase community support year after year.

About The Berns Team

The Berns Team, Keller Williams Luxury, is a leading real estate team serving Pasadena, La Cañada, Altadena, Monrovia, South Pasadena, San Marino, and surrounding communities. Known for strategic marketing, concierge-level service, and strong community involvement, The Berns Team has helped thousands of families buy and sell homes while reinvesting in local nonprofits through initiatives like Raise to Give.
Learn more at www.BernsTeamBlessings.com

Media Contact

The Berns Team
Keller Williams Real Estate
Pasadena, California
JasonLaura@theBernsTeam.com
Laura: (626) 676-1884 | Jason: (626) 826-4544

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/local-real-estate-team-distributes-105-000-to-seven-pasadena-organizations-302655752.html

SOURCE The Berns Team

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MCB Real Estate Requests Response from Whitestone REIT Board of Trustees Regarding Compelling, All-Cash Acquisition Proposal

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

Reaffirms Commitment to Pursuing All Measures to Maximize Value for Shareholders, Including by Voting Against All Incumbent Whitestone Board Members

BALTIMORE, Jan. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — MCB Real Estate (“MCB”), a leading commercial real estate developer and investment management firm with a diverse nationwide portfolio and approximately $4 billion in AUM, today sent a letter to the Board of Trustees of Whitestone REIT (NYSE: WSR) (“Whitestone” or the “Company”) regarding MCB’s previously announced proposal to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Whitestone REIT for $15.20 per share in cash, with no financing contingency.


MCB Real Estate (PRNewsfoto/MCB Real Estate)

The full text of the letter is as follows:

January 7, 2025

Board of Trustees
C/O David K. Holeman
Whitestone REIT
2600 S. Gessner Rd, Suite 500
Houston, TX 77063

Dear Whitestone REIT Board of Trustees:

MCB Real Estate has yet to receive a response from the Whitestone Board, management team or advisors since we submitted a compelling, fully-financed proposal to acquire Whitestone REIT at an attractive 21.0% premium to the Company’s unaffected share price on November 3, 2025. As a significant shareholder owning approximately 9.2% of outstanding shares, MCB is asking the Whitestone Board to do its job and advance the best interests of all shareholders by responding to the acquisition proposal submitted more than two months ago.

We stand ready to consummate the proposed acquisition of Whitestone for $15.20 per share – and are willing to consider increasing our proposal price if Whitestone would grant due diligence and demonstrate that more value is warranted. MCB is committed to taking all actions necessary to maximize value for Whitestone shareholders.

More than a year has passed since the Board rejected MCB’s previous acquisition proposal, but Whitestone has not made meaningful progress towards closing the Company’s significant value gap or addressing its material underperformance relative to peers. We remain resolute that a sale of the Company is the best and only way to maximize value, and that the incumbent board members must take action now or be removed. Accordingly, we remain committed to voting against all incumbent Whitestone directors at the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

We know many of our fellow Whitestone shareholders share our frustration with the Board and management team’s inaction, evidenced by recent public events and reporting. We ask each member of the Whitestone Board to uphold their fiduciary duty to all shareholders by authorizing engagement with MCB or entering into a public strategic alternatives process. 

Sincerely,
/s/ P. David Bramble
P. David Bramble, Managing Partner

‍Advisors
MCB has engaged Vinson & Elkins LLP as lead counsel and Wells Fargo is serving as financial advisor to MCB. Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher is serving as strategic communications advisor to MCB.

About MCB Real Estate
Founded in 2007, MCB Real Estate is a community-centric, privately held national commercial real estate investment management and development firm headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. MCB boasts a nationwide portfolio of $4 billion in assets under management totaling approximately 20 million square feet with approximately 6 million square feet in its development pipeline. Property types include industrial, retail, mixed-use, multi-family, office, and healthcare. The firm offers a seamlessly integrated suite of commercial real estate investment services, including acquisitions, development, construction, asset management, property management, leasing, marketing, financing and legal expertise, thus ensuring comprehensive support throughout every stage of an asset’s lifecycle. www.mcbrealestate.com.

Additional Information
This communication does not constitute an offer to buy or solicitation of an offer to sell any securities. This communication relates to a proposal which MCB has made to acquire all of the outstanding shares of the Company. In furtherance of this proposal and subject to future developments, MCB (and, if a negotiated transaction is agreed, the Company) may file one or more proxy statements, tender offer or other documents with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). This communication is not a substitute for any proxy statement, prospectus, tender offer document or other document MCB or the Company may file with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction.

This communication is neither a solicitation of a proxy nor a substitute for any proxy statement or other filings that may be made with the SEC. Nonetheless, MCB and its executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction. Additional information regarding the interests of such potential participants will be included in one or more proxy statements, tender offer documents or other documents filed with the SEC if and when they become available. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ARE URGED TO READ THESE AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. These documents (if and when available) may be obtained free of charge from the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

‍Media Contacts

‍Andrew Siegel / Lyle Weston
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
212-355-4449

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mcb-real-estate-requests-response-from-whitestone-reit-board-of-trustees-regarding-compelling-all-cash-acquisition-proposal-302655624.html

SOURCE MCB Real Estate

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Evolving Techniques to Monitor and Showcase Projects

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

Monitoring and showcasing conservation and restoration projects have evolved significantly over the past two decades. From early field sampling using paper maps and film cameras to today’s drones, GIS, and interactive digital tools, practitioners have a wide range of options to collect, manage, and communicate data.

With all this change, how can companies select approaches that remain practical and scalable across different project types and site sizes? 

At an online event on January 21, 2026 at 1:00pm ET, specialists from Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. (CEC) will share insights into field sampling and site monitoring, demonstrating how both formal and informal practices can be applied based on project goals. They will discuss where traditional methods still add value, particularly on smaller sites, while highlighting the capabilities of electronic data collection, GIS applications, and modern data management systems.

The session will also examine tools such as drones and AI for assessing large-scale habitats, along with effective ways to present data, from hard copy reports to interactive online platforms. Attendees will learn how tools like StoryMaps can turn project results into clear, engaging narratives for partners and the public.

This webinar emphasizes practical strategies for keeping monitoring efforts relevant and adaptable, whether you’re managing a single small site or overseeing a complex, landscape-scale initiative.

A brief Q&A will follow, offering participants the opportunity to engage directly with CEC’s team.

Highlights will include:

  • How monitoring techniques have evolved over the past 20 years, from pre-GPS fieldwork to advanced digital systems
  • The wide range of GIS applications available for monitoring, analysis, and communication
  • When and how different monitoring practices work best for small versus large sites
  • How drones and AI can support efficient assessment of large-scale habitats
  • Effective ways to deliver and present data

Speakers:

  • Kyle Filicky, Project Manager II, CEC
  • Kate Gaglio, Project Manager II, CEC
  • Christopher Langley, Senior GIS Analyst, CEC
  • Sarah Lavin, GIS Analyst III, CEC
  • Sara Small, GIS Analyst II, CEC

Learn more at https://tandemglobal.org/events/webinars/.

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Experts Stress Reducing Plastics in Homes as Los Angeles Rebuilds from Wildfires

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On the anniversary of the January 2025 devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, California, experts at Plastic Pollution Coalition and Habitable stress the need to reduce plastics in homes and other buildings to reduce future health and wildfire risks.


Plastic Pollution Coalition

Their report, “How Plastics Fuel Wildfires & How to Rebuild Better,” explores the links between plastics and wildfires, and shows how communities impacted by wildfires can build and rebuild better with safer, plastic-free materials. Plastic building materials burn hotter, faster, and more toxic than natural materials. And while the immediate threats of wildfire may diminish once fires are extinguished, long-term environmental threats can persist for years following a disaster. Plastics greatly exacerbate these risks.

“Building homes and neighborhoods from flammable and toxic plastic is a giant risk to our health, safety, and futures. Last year, my family nearly lost our home in the wildfires that swept across LA. I saw first hand how countless neighborhoods, schools, and lives were upended in this unnecessary chain reaction. While there were of course other factors at play, I believe choosing plastic-free building materials and passing legislation to make these materials more affordable and accessible can help prevent heartbreaking loss like this from happening in the future.” — Grace Potter, Musician

“As LA rebuilds from last year’s fires, we must build resilience—that means using less plastic and more natural and nontoxic building materials.” — Dianna Cohen, Co-Founder & CEO, Plastic Pollution Coalition

Cohen and Potter, who both live in California, recently teamed up to write about the serious impacts of the 2025 disaster, its connections, and Los Angeles’ opportunity to build back better—with safer natural materials instead of harmful plastics.

Habitable CEO Gina Ciganik’s November 2025 TEDx Talk, “The Plastic Problem Hidden in Plain Sight” further describes the harms from plastic building materials and related chemicals, including links to cancer, reproductive harm, and developmental issues, and proposes solutions. Ciganik’s talk was part of TEDxGreatPacificGarbagePatch, focused on solutions to plastic pollution.

The building and construction industry is the second-biggest driver of plastic production and pollution, after the packaging industry. Better decisionmaking tools for builders and policies encouraging safer, plastic-free building materials use can help usher in necessary change that better protects communities from plastics’ dangers. The report and TEDx Talk present readily available healthier and more sustainable alternatives to plastic building materials, often with comparable cost and performance. They spotlight Habitable’s Informed™, a free, publicly available product guidance grounded in science-based research, using a red-to-green ranking that allows building industry practitioners to easily avoid worst-in-class products (red), and prefer those that tend to be no or low-plastic (yellow or green).

Press contact:
Erica Cirino
Communications Manager
Plastic Pollution Coalition
press@plasticpollutioncoalition.org 

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/experts-stress-reducing-plastics-in-homes-as-los-angeles-rebuilds-from-wildfires-302655638.html

SOURCE Plastic Pollution Coalition

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Cisco: Closing the Gap: bitsIO Wins Splunkie Award for Data and AI-Powered Nonprofit Solutions

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

At Cisco and Splunk, we believe technology becomes truly transformative when it reaches the people solving our world’s toughest problems. That’s the principle behind the annual Splunkie Awards, where we recognize the partners and users across multiple categories — including those who push Splunk technology beyond business metrics into work that genuinely transforms how social impact organizations operate and serve their communities.

This year, bitsIO was named Splunk’s Social Impact Partner of the Year, marking the third time they have won a Splunkie Award. This recognition reflects years of dedicated work closing what we call the data divide: the gap that prevents nonprofits from accessing the same data-powered technology that major enterprises use to protect their operations and advance their missions.

“This award validates our team’s passion for using Splunk’s platform to create meaningful change. We remain committed to helping nonprofits and communities achieve their missions.”

– Kalpana Krishnamurthi, bitsIO Co-Founder and CEO

Delivering technical solutions tailored to nonprofit needs

Nonprofits operate complex systems that require managing sensitive donor data, coordinating services across multiple locations, and responding to evolving security threats. Most do so with minimal IT staff and constrained budgets. The challenge is particularly acute because the threats and compliance requirements nonprofits face are just as sophisticated as those confronting major enterprises.

bitsIO has built their practice delivering enterprise-grade Splunk services to corporations around the world, but they have also created a dedicated program to address the disparity facing the nonprofit sector. Under this program, bitsIO offers pro bono and discounted services to nonprofits, from initial setup and configuration to upgrades and ongoing technical support — all designed for organizations operating with constrained resources.

The technical work spans Splunk’s full ecosystem:

Splunk Enterprise Security (ES) and Security Essentials: Many nonprofits bitsIO works with gain real-time threat detection capabilities for the first time. Splunk transforms their security posture overnight, giving small teams the ability to detect, investigate, and respond to threats as they emerge.

Splunk IT Service Intelligence (ITSI): For resource-constrained IT teams, unified monitoring becomes essential for operational continuity. ITSI provides comprehensive environment visibility with intelligent alerts that enable proactive response.

Data Integration and Custom Dashboards: bitsIO builds custom data pipelines and dashboards that connect disparate sources into coherent insights, giving nonprofit leaders the visibility needed to make strategic decisions about programs, funding, and impact.

Every deployment prioritizes what matters most to these organizations — security, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability — and the results are evident across the organizations bitsIO has supported:

  • bitsIO supported one nonprofit’s open-source platform that accelerates drug discovery for infectious diseases affecting underserved populations, building dashboards that save hundreds of research hours annually.
  • For another partner that coordinates organ and tissue donation, bitsIO unified security data from 12 sources and automated regulatory evidence packaging, streamlining healthcare cybersecurity operations.
  • At a workforce development organization, bitsIO centralized logs and automated threat detection, freeing IT resources for mission-critical work.
  • Working with a community healthcare coordination organization, bitsIO deployed proactive monitoring and real-time alerts across their Windows environment, accelerating threat detection and response.

Expanding access to next-generation AI

We’re at an inflection point where AI is reshaping what’s possible across every sector, but access remains unequal. bitsIO is working to change that trajectory, bringing Splunk’s latest AI capabilities — generative AI that enables faster incident response, machine learning models that can quickly parse insights from massive datasets, automated compliance systems that adapt to evolving regulations — to nonprofits as they’re developed.

“Our new AI solutions will help us scale services and empower more nonprofits than ever before,” said Suman Gajavelly, CTO and Co-Founder at bitsIO. “Being named Splunk’s 2025 Global Social Impact Partner of the Year is a tremendous recognition of our commitment to social impact.”

Cisco and Splunk are proud to partner with bitsIO in building toward a more equitable, data-driven world. Their work demonstrates how investment in mission-driven organizations creates the conditions for breakthroughs — and why closing the data divide matters for everyone.

Learn more about how we’re turning data into action — and action into impact — through bitsIO’s nonprofit services work here.

View original content here.

Posted in UncategorizedTagged

Cisco: Closing the Gap: bitsIO Wins Splunkie Award for Data and AI-Powered Nonprofit Solutions

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

At Cisco and Splunk, we believe technology becomes truly transformative when it reaches the people solving our world’s toughest problems. That’s the principle behind the annual Splunkie Awards, where we recognize the partners and users across multiple categories — including those who push Splunk technology beyond business metrics into work that genuinely transforms how social impact organizations operate and serve their communities.

This year, bitsIO was named Splunk’s Social Impact Partner of the Year, marking the third time they have won a Splunkie Award. This recognition reflects years of dedicated work closing what we call the data divide: the gap that prevents nonprofits from accessing the same data-powered technology that major enterprises use to protect their operations and advance their missions.

“This award validates our team’s passion for using Splunk’s platform to create meaningful change. We remain committed to helping nonprofits and communities achieve their missions.”

– Kalpana Krishnamurthi, bitsIO Co-Founder and CEO

Delivering technical solutions tailored to nonprofit needs

Nonprofits operate complex systems that require managing sensitive donor data, coordinating services across multiple locations, and responding to evolving security threats. Most do so with minimal IT staff and constrained budgets. The challenge is particularly acute because the threats and compliance requirements nonprofits face are just as sophisticated as those confronting major enterprises.

bitsIO has built their practice delivering enterprise-grade Splunk services to corporations around the world, but they have also created a dedicated program to address the disparity facing the nonprofit sector. Under this program, bitsIO offers pro bono and discounted services to nonprofits, from initial setup and configuration to upgrades and ongoing technical support — all designed for organizations operating with constrained resources.

The technical work spans Splunk’s full ecosystem:

Splunk Enterprise Security (ES) and Security Essentials: Many nonprofits bitsIO works with gain real-time threat detection capabilities for the first time. Splunk transforms their security posture overnight, giving small teams the ability to detect, investigate, and respond to threats as they emerge.

Splunk IT Service Intelligence (ITSI): For resource-constrained IT teams, unified monitoring becomes essential for operational continuity. ITSI provides comprehensive environment visibility with intelligent alerts that enable proactive response.

Data Integration and Custom Dashboards: bitsIO builds custom data pipelines and dashboards that connect disparate sources into coherent insights, giving nonprofit leaders the visibility needed to make strategic decisions about programs, funding, and impact.

Every deployment prioritizes what matters most to these organizations — security, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability — and the results are evident across the organizations bitsIO has supported:

  • bitsIO supported one nonprofit’s open-source platform that accelerates drug discovery for infectious diseases affecting underserved populations, building dashboards that save hundreds of research hours annually.
  • For another partner that coordinates organ and tissue donation, bitsIO unified security data from 12 sources and automated regulatory evidence packaging, streamlining healthcare cybersecurity operations.
  • At a workforce development organization, bitsIO centralized logs and automated threat detection, freeing IT resources for mission-critical work.
  • Working with a community healthcare coordination organization, bitsIO deployed proactive monitoring and real-time alerts across their Windows environment, accelerating threat detection and response.

Expanding access to next-generation AI

We’re at an inflection point where AI is reshaping what’s possible across every sector, but access remains unequal. bitsIO is working to change that trajectory, bringing Splunk’s latest AI capabilities — generative AI that enables faster incident response, machine learning models that can quickly parse insights from massive datasets, automated compliance systems that adapt to evolving regulations — to nonprofits as they’re developed.

“Our new AI solutions will help us scale services and empower more nonprofits than ever before,” said Suman Gajavelly, CTO and Co-Founder at bitsIO. “Being named Splunk’s 2025 Global Social Impact Partner of the Year is a tremendous recognition of our commitment to social impact.”

Cisco and Splunk are proud to partner with bitsIO in building toward a more equitable, data-driven world. Their work demonstrates how investment in mission-driven organizations creates the conditions for breakthroughs — and why closing the data divide matters for everyone.

Learn more about how we’re turning data into action — and action into impact — through bitsIO’s nonprofit services work here.

View original content here.

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Sentry® donates $1 million to support Maui nonprofits

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

Beneficiaries include Maui United Way, Maui Food Bank, and Aloha Puʻu Kukui

MAUI, Hawaii, Jan. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sentry is donating $1 million to three Maui-based nonprofit organizations in recognition of their vital contributions to community well-being, environmental restoration, and the island’s continuing recovery.


Maui Food Bank received a $250,000 donation from the Sentry Insurance Foundation

For the past eight years, Sentry has built relationships across Maui through its title sponsorship of The Sentry PGA TOUR event. And while the tournament was cancelled this year due to drought conditions that made play impossible, these contributions illustrate the company’s commitment to partnership with organizations on the island.

“The relationships we’ve built in Maui continue to guide how we support this community in thoughtful and appropriate ways,” said Pete McPartland, Sentry Chairman and CEO. “We admire the resilience of the Maui community but also recognize that needs remain high as rebuilding continues. We know these three organizations are well-equipped to help the community move forward—because we’ve watched their dedication up close for many years.”

About the donations

Representatives from Sentry recently met with local partners at the University of Hawai’i Maui College campus to present the following donations:

  • $250,000 to Maui Food Bank to support safe, nutritious food distribution and hunger relief for local families.
    • Lisa Paulson, CEO, Maui Food Bank:
       “We’re deeply grateful for Sentry’s continued support. This gift will help us provide safe and nutritious food and hope to thousands of families across Maui who are at risk of going hungry.”
  • $250,000 to Aloha Puʻu Kukui to help restore the native Hawaiian forest and ecosystem that captures rain and provides water, protecting long-term environmental health.
    • Kainoa Pestana, Conservation Manager, Pu’u Kukui Watershed:
      “Sentry’s donation allows us to accelerate our work— keeping invasive plants and animals out of the forest, restoring damaged lands, planting native trees and shrubs, and preserving the natural beauty and balance of the island for future generations.”
  • $500,000 to Maui United Way to provide continued support the Sentry Mālama Nā Keiki initiative—launched in 2023 following the wildfires—to provide trauma-informed mental health services for children and families.

    Since its launch, Sentry Mālama Nā Keiki has supported more than 7,690 children and families, with new funding ensuring these services continue for Maui’s youth. Entering its third year, the program will help provide mental health services for children and families impacted by the Lahaina wildfires—providing counseling, stress management cultural training, and community events. Since November 2023, Sentry has contributed $2.5 million to the effort.

    • Jeeyun Lee, CEO, Maui United Way:
      “Through the Sentry Mālama Nā Keiki initiative, we have seen firsthand how targeted, trauma informed care can support our community’s healing and resilience. This new funding will allow us to continue to reach more children and families while also strengthening and sustaining the local providers who serve them, helping prevent burnout, build skills, and ensure a more resilient Maui County.”

About Sentry
Founded in 1904, Sentry is known for maintaining long-term customer relationships and supporting its communities. Sentry Insurance is part of one of the largest and most financially secure mutual insurance groups in the United States, holding an A+ (superior) Financial Strength Rating from AM Best as of June 2025. Sentry and its subsidiaries offer a wide range of insurance products, including property and casualty insurance, life insurance, annuities, and retirement programs for businesses and individuals nationwide. For a complete list of underwriting companies, visit sentry.com. 

About Sentry Insurance Foundation
The Sentry Insurance Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Sentry. Giving priorities include education, workforce development, United Way, and local organizations that work to improve the quality of life and build equitable communities where we live and work, including the Maui community.


Aloha Puʻu Kukui received a $250,000 donation from the Sentry Insurance Foundation


Maui United Way received a $500,000 donation from the Sentry Insurance Foundation


Sentry Insurance Logo (PRNewsfoto/Sentry Insurance)

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sentry-donates-1-million-to-support-maui-nonprofits-302655537.html

SOURCE Sentry Insurance

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Sentry® donates $1 million to support Maui nonprofits

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

Beneficiaries include Maui United Way, Maui Food Bank, and Aloha Puʻu Kukui

MAUI, Hawaii, Jan. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sentry is donating $1 million to three Maui-based nonprofit organizations in recognition of their vital contributions to community well-being, environmental restoration, and the island’s continuing recovery.


Maui Food Bank received a $250,000 donation from the Sentry Insurance Foundation

For the past eight years, Sentry has built relationships across Maui through its title sponsorship of The Sentry PGA TOUR event. And while the tournament was cancelled this year due to drought conditions that made play impossible, these contributions illustrate the company’s commitment to partnership with organizations on the island.

“The relationships we’ve built in Maui continue to guide how we support this community in thoughtful and appropriate ways,” said Pete McPartland, Sentry Chairman and CEO. “We admire the resilience of the Maui community but also recognize that needs remain high as rebuilding continues. We know these three organizations are well-equipped to help the community move forward—because we’ve watched their dedication up close for many years.”

About the donations

Representatives from Sentry recently met with local partners at the University of Hawai’i Maui College campus to present the following donations:

  • $250,000 to Maui Food Bank to support safe, nutritious food distribution and hunger relief for local families.
    • Lisa Paulson, CEO, Maui Food Bank:
       “We’re deeply grateful for Sentry’s continued support. This gift will help us provide safe and nutritious food and hope to thousands of families across Maui who are at risk of going hungry.”
  • $250,000 to Aloha Puʻu Kukui to help restore the native Hawaiian forest and ecosystem that captures rain and provides water, protecting long-term environmental health.
    • Kainoa Pestana, Conservation Manager, Pu’u Kukui Watershed:
      “Sentry’s donation allows us to accelerate our work— keeping invasive plants and animals out of the forest, restoring damaged lands, planting native trees and shrubs, and preserving the natural beauty and balance of the island for future generations.”
  • $500,000 to Maui United Way to provide continued support the Sentry Mālama Nā Keiki initiative—launched in 2023 following the wildfires—to provide trauma-informed mental health services for children and families.

    Since its launch, Sentry Mālama Nā Keiki has supported more than 7,690 children and families, with new funding ensuring these services continue for Maui’s youth. Entering its third year, the program will help provide mental health services for children and families impacted by the Lahaina wildfires—providing counseling, stress management cultural training, and community events. Since November 2023, Sentry has contributed $2.5 million to the effort.

    • Jeeyun Lee, CEO, Maui United Way:
      “Through the Sentry Mālama Nā Keiki initiative, we have seen firsthand how targeted, trauma informed care can support our community’s healing and resilience. This new funding will allow us to continue to reach more children and families while also strengthening and sustaining the local providers who serve them, helping prevent burnout, build skills, and ensure a more resilient Maui County.”

About Sentry
Founded in 1904, Sentry is known for maintaining long-term customer relationships and supporting its communities. Sentry Insurance is part of one of the largest and most financially secure mutual insurance groups in the United States, holding an A+ (superior) Financial Strength Rating from AM Best as of June 2025. Sentry and its subsidiaries offer a wide range of insurance products, including property and casualty insurance, life insurance, annuities, and retirement programs for businesses and individuals nationwide. For a complete list of underwriting companies, visit sentry.com. 

About Sentry Insurance Foundation
The Sentry Insurance Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Sentry. Giving priorities include education, workforce development, United Way, and local organizations that work to improve the quality of life and build equitable communities where we live and work, including the Maui community.


Aloha Puʻu Kukui received a $250,000 donation from the Sentry Insurance Foundation


Maui United Way received a $500,000 donation from the Sentry Insurance Foundation


Sentry Insurance Logo (PRNewsfoto/Sentry Insurance)

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sentry-donates-1-million-to-support-maui-nonprofits-302655537.html

SOURCE Sentry Insurance

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Complimentary Webinar: From Diamonds to Gemstones: Important Proposed Updates to the SCS-007 Certification Standard

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

Complimentary Webinar:

From Diamonds to Gemstones: Important Proposed Updates to the SCS-007 Certification Standard

Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 10:00 AM PST (1:00 PM EST)

Register Here

The SCS-007 Certification Standard for Sustainably Produced Gemstones, originally introduced in 2020 as the Certification Standard for Sustainability Rated Diamonds, provides a uniform basis for assessing and certifying environmentally and socially responsible gemstone production and handling. Draft version 2.0 encompassing significant updates is now available for public review through January 30, 2026.

Join Victoria Norman, Executive Director and Rachel Boothby-Hentschel, Senior Associate, of SCS Standards and Assurance Systems on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 1PM ET (10AM PT) for a comprehensive update on this timely certification standard.

Key topics to be discussed:

  • Additional gemstones covered under the revised standard
  • Recognition of the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) certification for mined gemstones within the scope of the standard
  • Proposal to replace requirements for fingerprinting conformity testing with blockchain technology for gemstone traceability
  • Trailblazer categories for indicators that promote best practices, such as the use of 100% renewable electricity

Register Here

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Complimentary Webinar: From Diamonds to Gemstones: Important Proposed Updates to the SCS-007 Certification Standard

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

Complimentary Webinar:

From Diamonds to Gemstones: Important Proposed Updates to the SCS-007 Certification Standard

Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 10:00 AM PST (1:00 PM EST)

Register Here

The SCS-007 Certification Standard for Sustainably Produced Gemstones, originally introduced in 2020 as the Certification Standard for Sustainability Rated Diamonds, provides a uniform basis for assessing and certifying environmentally and socially responsible gemstone production and handling. Draft version 2.0 encompassing significant updates is now available for public review through January 30, 2026.

Join Victoria Norman, Executive Director and Rachel Boothby-Hentschel, Senior Associate, of SCS Standards and Assurance Systems on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 1PM ET (10AM PT) for a comprehensive update on this timely certification standard.

Key topics to be discussed:

  • Additional gemstones covered under the revised standard
  • Recognition of the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) certification for mined gemstones within the scope of the standard
  • Proposal to replace requirements for fingerprinting conformity testing with blockchain technology for gemstone traceability
  • Trailblazer categories for indicators that promote best practices, such as the use of 100% renewable electricity

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