Author: sHq_LoGiNz

One initiative connected to Henkel’s partnership with U.S. Soccer is hosting American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) clinics to help bring soccer to communities where long-term youth sports programming is limited. Henkel’s ongoing investment in AYSO supports their mission and vision to develop and deliver quality youth soccer programs that enrich children’s lives. Read on for more details.

Henkel teamed up with U.S. Soccer and the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) to host free youth soccer clinics near Henkel offices in Bridgewater, NJ and Stamford, CT.  Through the dedication of AYSO coaches and Henkel volunteers, these events were much more than an afternoon of drills and games — they were celebrations of community, inclusion, and opportunity.

AYSO clinics are part of a growing initiative to expand access to soccer in communities where long-term youth sports programming is limited. Henkel believes in the power of youth sports to provide well-rounded benefits in physical health, academic performance, and important social skills like teamwork and confidence. By breaking down barriers to participation such as cost, equipment, and transportation, Henkel, U.S. Soccer, and AYSO aim to ensure that every child has the chance to play, grow, and thrive through sport.

Gearing Up for Success 

The clinics welcomed nearly 100 young athletes into vibrant hubs of energy, teamwork, and support.

• Children of all skill levels participated in coach-led drills and team-based activities designed to introduce them to the sport in a fun and accessible way.
• Henkel employees on-site acted as volunteers on the field and behind the scenes, guiding and cheering on the athletes, encouraging teamwork, and helping to make the day unforgettable.
• Each child left with their own soccer ball and t-shirt, a bag filled with samples from Henkel’s trusted family of brands, and a boxed meal — but more importantly, they left with a sense of belonging and the spark of possibility.

Following the clinics, AYSO provides opportunities for participants to continue engaging with soccer, ensuring that a spark has the ability to turn into a long-term love of the game.

Community Impact Matters

In addition to these sponsored clinics, Henkel’s multi-year partnership with U.S. Soccer and ongoing investment in AYSO supports their mission and vision to develop and deliver quality youth soccer programs that enrich children’s lives. In addition to traditional on-field programming, AYSO provides online education, community outreach, tournaments, special events, management training, and more across the country.

The lifelong connections to soccer that are foundational to AYSO and these clinics foster unity, pride, and engagement not only for participants and their families but for the Henkel employees who are able to give back. With Henkel and U.S. Soccer committed to expanding these efforts, more communities will soon experience the empowerment that comes from learning a new skill, making a friend, and being part of a team.
 

DALLAS, October 9, 2025 /3BL/ – Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ: KMB) is deepening its commitment to advancing essential care for women and girls through four enhanced strategic, charitable partnerships. Through new programs with Baby2Baby, Plan International, Project HOPE, and UNICEF, Kimberly-Clark aims to expand access to life-changing care in Brazil, Peru, China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the United States. Taken together, these partnerships will work to improve the lives of an estimated 24 million women and girls over the next three years. 

This announcement is a direct result of the Kimberly-Clark Foundation’s recent sharpening of its strategic focus: to advance essential care for women and girls on their journeys through puberty and motherhood. The foundation will fund this three-year, $28.7 million commitment, which focuses on menstrual care and maternal & infant care. 

Women’s Health Remains an Urgent Issue around the World 
Every seven seconds, a woman or infant dies during or shortly after childbirth, according to the World Health Organization. Furthermore, approximately 500 million women and girls lack access to resources to manage menstruation, as reported by the World Bank. Despite the difficult landscape, opportunities to uplift women and in turn—entire communities—abound: according to the World Economic Forum, “Investment in women’s [health] is unrivaled in its return on the investment for the health of all of society.”

“We envision a world where women and girls everywhere can receive equal access to the fundamental care they need to thrive,” said Mike Hsu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kimberly-Clark and President of the Kimberly-Clark Foundation. “Kimberly-Clark invented the feminine care category in 1921, and we’ve remained committed to advancing care for women and girls ever since. From developing innovations that meet our consumers’ unmet needs to deploying strategic social impact programming, we take great pride in our responsibility to work to improve the lives of the communities we serve. Now, we’re aiming to accelerate our impact because we know Better Can’t Wait.” 

The programs funded will focus on supporting underserved communities. Key initiatives will include menstrual hygiene and stigma-breaking educational programs for adolescents; programs to expand access to safe sanitation solutions; comprehensive perinatal and newborn care services; maternal mental health supports; and programs aimed at strengthening health systems to improve outcomes for the most vulnerable. 

Transformational Partnerships to Deliver Better Care for a Better World
Kimberly-Clark’s alliance with Baby2Baby to provide essential baby items for families living in poverty began in 2011 as the nonprofit organization’s first corporate partner. In 2024, the company’s Huggies® brand deepened this commitment by supporting Baby2Baby’s initiative to address rising maternal mortality rates in the U.S., in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Through the distribution of Maternal Health & Newborn Supply Kits, the program addresses the critical intersection of diaper need, newborn health and maternal mental health. 

“We are deeply thankful to our longtime partners at Kimberly-Clark and their Huggies brand for their unwavering support. Thanks to their extraordinary donation and three-year commitment, we will make a greater impact in the fight against maternal mortality,” said Baby2Baby Co-CEOs Norah Weinstein and Kelly Sawyer Patricof. “With their help, we are expanding our efforts to deliver supplies to new mothers across 15 states, ensuring they have the basic essentials they need for themselves and their babies, especially during the often overwhelming postpartum period.”

Since 2020, Plan International and Kimberly-Clark, alongside its Kotex® brand, have reached an estimated 11 million people through programs that support girls’ menstrual health. This evolved partnership serving the U.S., Brazil, China and Peru will create period-friendly community and school environments by ensuring access to supplies, bathroom facilities, and education that empowers girls to manage their periods with confidence and dignity.

“With over 80 years of experience championing opportunity for girls, Plan International knows that menstrual health is key to unlocking girls’ potential,” said Kate Ezzes, Vice President of Program Development at Plan International USA. “We also know lasting change happens when boys are engaged as allies. Our partnership with Kimberly-Clark helps dismantle harmful taboos and ensures every child can learn, lead, decide and thrive.”

Kimberly-Clark’s partnership with Project HOPE will expand access to menstrual and maternal health for women and girls in China and Indonesia. The initiative focuses on menstrual hygiene education, respectful maternity care, and mental health support. Through a life-cycle approach, the program empowers individuals from adolescence through pregnancy and early motherhood with education, digital tools, and compassionate care. 

“Kimberly-Clark and Project HOPE share a deep commitment to a world where women and girls have access to the care, dignity, and opportunities they deserve,” said Dr. Uche Ralph-Opara, Chief Health Officer at Project HOPE. “Kimberly-Clark has long been part of our journey, supporting our work through product donations and core mission support that have helped expand access to essential health services for women and girls across the globe. This next phase of our partnership takes that impact even further through a holistic approach that supports women and girls at every stage—from a girl’s first period, to pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond. Together, we’re investing in education, mental health, capacity-building, and advocacy to drive sustainable, systemic change.”

Over the course of an almost 25-year relationship, Kimberly-Clark and UNICEF have worked together to improve the health and well-being of babies, girls, and women in 26 countries. Now, that legacy continues through a new multi-region initiative focused on menstrual hygiene education and access for girls and maternal health for young mothers across Brazil, India, Indonesia, Peru, and Vietnam. 

“Since 2001, our partnership with Kimberly-Clark has empowered close to 14 million children and adults through the provision of neonatal healthcare, early childhood development, clean water, sanitation and hygiene, and lifesaving services during emergencies,” said Kitty van der Heijden, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, Partnerships. “We are grateful that this transformative partnership for girls and women is now deepening to save even more lives, deliver services that promote dignity and create lasting impact for future generations.”

While some of these charitable partners are long-standing collaborators with Kimberly-Clark, this marks a new chapter in how these organizations work with the foundation. By aligning around two critical impact areas—menstrual care and maternal & infant care—as part of the foundation’s new strategic focus, these partnerships address interconnected challenges that are often treated in isolation.

This integrated approach reflects the full continuum of care, recognizing the deep links between menstrual health, maternal wellbeing, and infant development. As a company whose brands already serve these populations with essential products like diapers and feminine hygiene solutions in each of these regions, Kimberly-Clark is strategically positioned to make a meaningful impact, at scale, through these partnerships.

“We seek to lead with care in everything we do,” said Russ Torres, President and Chief Operating Officer of Kimberly-Clark. “‘We Care’ is, in fact, one of our three core values. Whether it’s caring for our people, our customers, our consumers, or the communities in which we live and operate, care is at the heart of Kimberly-Clark. These strategic partnerships enable us to extend this value even further as we work to ensure women and girls around the world receive the essential support they deserve.”

The Kimberly-Clark Foundation’s enhanced focus on caring for women and girls is one of the many ways the company works to live its purpose of Better Care for a Better World. It is also aligned to the company’s Powering Care business strategy and will directly contribute to delivering on Kimberly-Clark’s global ambition to positively impact 1 billion lives by 2030.

To learn more about Kimberly-Clark’s 2030 ambition and the work of the Kimberly-Clark Foundation, visit https://www.kimberly-clark.com/en-us/sustainability/2030-ambition.

About Kimberly-Clark 
Kimberly-Clark (NASDAQ: KMB) and its trusted brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries and territories. Our portfolio of brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Andrex, Pull-Ups, Goodnites, Intimus, Plenitud, Sweety, Softex, Viva and WypAll, hold No. 1 or No. 2 share positions in approximately 70 countries. Our company’s purpose is to deliver Better Care for a Better World. We are committed to using sustainable practices designed to support a healthy planet, build strong communities, and enable our business to thrive for decades to come. To keep up with the latest news and learn more about the company’s more than 150-year history of innovation, visit the Kimberly-Clark website. 

About the Kimberly-Clark Foundation 
Established in 1952, the Kimberly-Clark Foundation is the charitable arm of Kimberly-Clark Corporation and is dedicated to supporting global causes that create lasting social change. Funded by the corporation, the foundation’s primary focus is on social impact investments that help advance essential care for women and girls on their journeys through puberty and motherhood. 

Supporting Chile’s Clean Energy Transition

DP World’s terminal at the Port of  Lirquén has achieved a new milestone in renewable energy logistics, successfully unloading the largest wind turbines ever to arrive in Chile. This landmark operation highlights DP World’s expertise in handling oversized cargo and reinforces the company’s commitment to enabling sustainable infrastructure projects across the Americas.

The first shipment, arriving aboard G2 Ocean’s MN Star Luster on a direct voyage from China, included six of 22 turbines destined for Goldwind’s wind farm in Pemuco, Ñuble Region. Goldwind, one of the world’s largest wind turbine manufacturers, is leading the project as part of Chile’s broader push to expand renewable energy capacity. Over the coming months, five vessels will deliver the full set of turbines.

Engineering Feat: Record-Breaking Cargo

Each turbine features 90-meter blades – the longest ever handled in Chile – and segmented tower sections weighing more than 130 tons. These are also the first segmented towers of this scale to enter the country, requiring advanced lifting equipment, specialized planning, and seamless coordination with inland transportation networks.

The turbines will be transported from DP World’s Lirquén terminal to the new wind farm under development in the Ñuble Region, expanding the country’s renewable power capacity and reinforcing its long-term decarbonization goals.

Chile’s Expanding Wind Energy Market

Chile is a regional leader in renewable energy, with more than 60% of its electricity currently generated from clean sources – wind energy is now the country’s second most developed renewable energy source. Chile aims to generate 70% of its power from renewables by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

The Ñuble wind farm project is part of this national push, designed to provide reliable, emissions-free power for thousands of homes while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Each turbine unloaded at Lirquén contributes directly to expanding that clean energy footprint.

DP World’s Role in Renewable Energy Logistics

The Lirquén terminal is uniquely equipped for projects of this scale. Its multipurpose design, deepwater berths, and heavy-lift handling capabilities enable safe and efficient operations for oversized cargo, while its direct connectivity to Chile’s Route 5 ensures reliable inland transport to project sites.

This operation reflects DP World’s broader commitment to advancing sustainable trade and infrastructure across the Americas. From pioneering hydrogen-powered cranes in Vancouver to facilitating the arrival of more than 1,800 electric buses in Santiago and Copiapó, DP World is delivering end-to-end logistics solutions that support national decarbonization strategies.

Driving Economic and Environmental Impact

The arrival of these turbines underscores the vital role ports play in accelerating renewable energy adoption. Beyond logistics, the project contributes to job creation, energy independence, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions – key benefits for Chile’s economy and environment.

With this milestone, DP World Lirquén demonstrates how global trade infrastructure can directly enable the clean energy transition – making trade flow while powering a greener future.

Learn more about DP World’s commitment to sustainability here.

 

 

Duke Energy Foundation took home the Corporate Social Impact Team of the Year award this week at the Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals Annual Conference in Atlanta. The honor recognizes Duke Energy Foundation’s collaborative and innovative approach to social impact — one that delivered measurable results for both the business and the communities we serve.

This recognition reflects the Foundation’s swift and strategic response to the 2024 storm season, including Hurricanes Helene, Milton, and Debby which impacted all seven of the states we serve. The team quickly adapted grant programs to deliver critical support, reinforcing our commitment to being a reliable partner in times of need.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. The company’s electric utilities serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. 

 Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage. 

 More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition. 

View original content here.

Originally published on newsroom.marykay.com 

DALLAS, October 9, 2025 /3BL/ – On Saturday, October 4^th, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation^® painted the town of Addison pink for the 21^st Annual MK5K^® event. The pink movement spread from coast to coast through Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants who held their own fundraising events in communities and cities representing nearly every state and territory across the U.S.

Participants could run, walk, bike, or get creative to compete in the annual event that has raised over $250,000 for the Mary Kay Ash Foundation^® with fundraising efforts running through October 31^st. The Foundation^® raises and distributes funds to invest in breakthrough cancer research and clinical trials to find a cure for women-related cancers and also provides annual grants to nonprofits dedicated to ending domestic violence. 

Since 1996, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation^® has contributed more than $98 million to organizations aligned with its two-fold mission. In addition, it supports awareness initiatives, community outreach programs, and advocates for legislation to ensure women are healthy and safe. 

“Each year, we race to help improve the health and safety of all women, and I’m ecstatic to see the growth in participation and the financial impact we make year after year. The annual MK5K was created to raise funds that support all women – not just those who work tirelessly to carry on my great-grandmother’s dream of empowering women around the world,” said Jessica Bair, great-granddaughter of founder Mary Kay Ash. “It’s amazing to see the support from our sponsors and donors, corporate volunteers and runners, and all the virtual runners who participate in this event across the U.S.”

In recent years, the rise of virtual “runners” who participate in the event has made a huge impact to the amount of funds raised each year. 

“There is something profoundly moving about witnessing thousands of women and their families unite, both in person and virtually, for the MK5K,” said Anne Crews, Vice President of Public Affairs at Mary Kay Inc. and Mary Kay Ash Foundation Board Member. “This event is more than a race; it’s a powerful symbol of solidarity and hope. Every step taken reflects the Mary Kay Ash Foundation’s unwavering commitment to transforming lives through groundbreaking research in women’s cancers and vital support for survivors of domestic violence.”

The Foundation is tickled pink with the success of this year’s event, and the race is on for the next MK5K, which is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2026. Here are the impressive results from this year’s event:

• $258,700 raised
• 2,656 participants
• 378 fundraising teams
• 7,942 miles logged
• 147 miles (1-mile fun run)
• 7,795 miles (5K)
• 2,149 generous donors
• 16 corporate sponsors

Did You Know? 

• The Mary Kay Ash Foundation® announced partnership with The National Domestic Violence Hotline (“The Hotline”) – the nation’s leading resource for survivors and those seeking to support them – to create a nationwide initiative focused on trauma-informed education, community engagement, and life-saving tools to help individuals recognize and respond to abuse. The partnership provides training webinars, downloadable resources, and a series of short videos.
• The Mary Kay Ash Foundation® awarded a $100,000 grant to the Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation Amy Selkirk Breast Cancer Research Fund to further support the second year of a first of its kind clinical trial conducted by Joyce O’Shaughnessy, MD, Celebrating Women Chair in Breast Cancer Research. This trial explores weight loss inhibitors to prevent breast cancer recurrence in overweight patients.
• The Mary Kay Ash Foundation® awarded a $400,000 multi-year grant in support of the newly established Texas Cancer Interception Institute, a first of its kind program utilizing cutting edge biomarker technology, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) blood-based assays offered on a huge scale to improve cancer care with an emphasis on early detection.
• The Mary Kay Ash Foundation® awarded nearly $3 million in cancer research and domestic violence shelter grants around the country in 2025.
• The Mary Kay Ash Foundation® has awarded more than $98 million to women’s shelters and domestic violence service providers, as well as cancer research programs and related causes throughout the U.S. For more information, visit marykayashfoundation.org  

***

About Mary Kay Ash Foundation® 

Guided by Mary Kay Ash’s dream to enrich the lives of women everywhere, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation® raises and distributes funds to end domestic violence and invest in breakthrough cancer research to find cures for women-related cancers. Since 1996, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation has contributed more than $98 million to organizations aligned with its two-fold mission. In addition, the Foundation supports awareness initiatives, community outreach programs, and advocates for legislation to ensure women are healthy and safe. Together, we can make the world better for women. To learn more about how to educate, advocate, volunteer, donate, and join life-saving work to support and empower women, visit marykayashfoundation.org, or find us on Facebook and Instagram.

###