Author: sHq_LoGiNz

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Thousands gather in Los Angeles for a Scientology New Year’s Celebration, honoring a year of remarkable achievement and ushering in an unstoppable 2026.

“Auld Lang Syne” has echoed through New Year’s festivities for over a century, symbolizing the bridge between where we’ve been and where we’re going. But on this night inside the Shrine Auditorium, that timeless sentiment took on a whole new dimension.

From the outset, the evening embodied the hallmarks of a Scientology New Year’s Celebration—elegance, anticipation and a sense of purpose. Dressed in formal evening wear, more than 6,500 guests filled the historic hall to honor the momentous feats of 2025, their gaze cast upon a boundless horizon unfolding before them.

“For most of the world, New Year’s is something they wait for. They count down seconds, watching the clock, as if time is the one telling them when life begins again,” said Mr. David Miscavige, ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion. “But we’ve never lived time that way. So while the rest of the planet may still be winding down its clocks—we’re here for something else entirely: to see what happens when a full year of Scientology accomplishments is unleashed all at once.”

And with that, Mr. Miscavige set the stage for a night showcasing a series of highlights from a year of endless expansion. Among those achievements, the numbers tuning in to Scientology Network continue to grow, drawing 11 times the viewership since network launch, while earning more than 170 awards for creative and technical excellence. And those viewers become doers, as over a million students have now enrolled in online courses—another record-breaking milestone.

The year was further defined by a panorama of Grand Openings illuminating the globe. Beginning with the ribbon-cutting for the newest Ideal Org half a world away in South Africa’s Eastern Cape—a landmark 10-story masterpiece now rising into the Nelson Mandela Bay skyline.

The wave of expansion rolled on as L. Ron Hubbard’s enduring legacy came vividly to life this past summer with the Grand Opening of three new L. Ron Hubbard (LRH) Landmark Sites—each meticulously restored to its original grandeur in honor of his milestone breakthroughs:

• In Elizabeth, New Jersey, dedicating the site of the first Dianetics Foundation, where Mr. Hubbard trained the first Dianetic Auditors 75 years ago.
• In Phoenix, Arizona, inaugurating the location where he unified the subjects of Dianetics and Scientology, forever shaping the course of the religion.
• And in Harare, Zimbabwe, unveiling the site where he filmed the legendary Clearing Course lectures and delivered his only filmed interview, An Introduction to Scientology.

From expansion to empowerment, the night next ascended to a succession of living triumphs—each one illustrating the impact of LRH Technology in action, transforming communities and inspiring lasting change.

Association for Better Living and Education (ABLE), addressing society’s most urgent challenges—drug abuse, illiteracy, immorality and crime—through its wide-reaching programs:

• In Sonora, Mexico, where widespread addiction has reached alarming levels, a government-sponsored Narconon for men proves so effective that civic leaders open a dedicated wing for women. Altogether, the facility has provided more than 100,000 rehabilitation hours, restoring a life every six days. In the wake of that success, regional officials partner with Narconon to establish a youth facility for teens in crisis, extending rehabilitation to the next generation. As a result, Narconon Navojoa is now the model for government-funded Narconons across Mexico.
• In Kenya, sprawling slums drive a relentless cycle of crime and imprisonment known as “the revolving door.” But a former inmate joins fellow ex-prisoners to break that pattern for his people. Upon discovering The Way to Happiness, they set out to bring the 21 precepts to schools and community groups, steering youth from gangs and slashing drug use in schools from 80 percent to just 5. Then returning to Kenya’s prisons, they cut recidivism by 51 percent—ending the cycle of crime and opening the door to a new beginning for Kenya’s youth and families.
• In Colombo, Sri Lanka, where students are only taught rote memorization, a teacher sets out to instill actual understanding. After discovering Applied Scholastics, she integrates Study Technology at her school and, before long, her students are advancing three grade levels in a single year. Building on those gains, she creates a program for widespread teacher instruction on the barriers to study, ultimately training over 2,000 educators and transforming education for more than 80,000 students. All culminated in a national partnership to bring Study Technology to all 10,000 schools of Sri Lanka.

World Institute of Scientology Enterprises (WISE), disseminating L. Ron Hubbard’s Administrative Technology (Admin Tech) for group survival and prosperity:

• In the United Kingdom, a WISE member of Scottish heritage takes on the relentless rain of the British Isles when he assumes control of a failing gutter cleaning business. Applying Admin Tech, he rebuilds the operation—establishing an Organizing Board, codifying company policies and launching an apprenticeship program. Accordingly, his enterprise has expanded more than 140 times and now fields a fully trained force of 250 specialists, safeguarding 2,500 homes a week—more than 125,000 in the last year alone. Serving every county across the kingdom, his company today is the number one gutter and roof care service in the UK.
• In Colombia, customs delays and disorganization trigger trade backlogs that are triple the international average. But a WISE member and logistics expert applies Admin Tech to design his enterprise as a high-efficiency import-export engine. By consolidating every phase of cargo and customs and coordinating production flows, he compresses a 35-day cycle into just three days, transporting everything from white marble to steel and from animals to automobiles. Delivering more than 70,000 tons of cargo annually by land, air and sea across 91 nations, his company has expanded 46 times in the past decade, becoming Colombia’s leading full-service logistics operator.
• In Hungary, where 9 out of 10 businesses fail due to a lack of organizational know-how, a WISE Consultant sets out to apply LRH solutions across the nation’s commercial sector. His company’s seminars equip leaders with the tools to implement proper procedures, driving Admin Tech into 6,000 companies and training over 25,000 professionals, ranging from a children’s furniture factory earning prestigious Superbrands status to a theatrical tailoring house named Entrepreneur of the Year. Today, out of 1.8 million businesses in Hungary, this WISE Consultant firm ranks in the top one percent for stability and proven excellence.

International Hubbard Ecclesiastical League of Pastors (I HELP) and Scientology Missions International (SMI) provide Dianetics and Scientology introductory services in communities planetwide:

• In Japan, where three-quarters of the population say they live under stress and anxiety, an educator exploring psychology simultaneously discovers Dianetics and changes course completely. Establishing a Dianetics Group in Ashiya—the Beverly Hills of Japan—she sets out with a singular purpose: to rekindle the spirit of the Japanese people. She drives Dianetics throughout the region—from delivering introductory lectures to giving radio interviews—altogether introducing thousands to Dianetics. Whereafter, a city Mayor praises her for “bringing hope and true solutions,” as she ignites the glow of a Book One wildfire spreading across her region of Japan.
• In Valencia, Spain, residents increasingly face rising crime and public insecurity. But the city’s Ideal Scientology Mission stands as a pillar of freedom in Valencia’s District of Light, delivering Scientology services from introductory levels to the State of Clear. From that foundation, the Mission extends its humanitarian impact with nearly 200 volunteers advancing Church-sponsored initiatives—United for Human Rights, The Way to Happiness and Drug-Free World—to residents and tourists alike. All as their Volunteer Minister disaster response proved decisive during Spain’s deadliest floods of the century, leading Valencia’s Civil Guard to hail the Mission for strengthening the city’s social foundation.
• Finally, an international showcase of ribbon-cutting ceremonies marked an unprecedented year of worldwide Mission growth. From the City Center of Plzeň, Czech Republic’s Gateway to Europe; to Budapest, Hungary, the Jewel of the Danube; and Shizuoka, Japan, beneath the sacred silhouette of Mount Fuji, new Ideal Missions arose to uplift communities. In California, three more cut ribbons: in Montrose, just north of Los Angeles, nestled beneath the San Gabriel Mountains; in San Jose, surrounded by the Santa Cruz Mountains; and in Riverpark, near the state capitol in Sacramento. While just last month, Lakeway, Texas, hosted the final Ideal Mission opening to cap an outstanding 12 months.

The evening’s celebration soared on with the superlative results from Ideal Organizations helmed by executive teams just graduated from Golden Age of Administration training—immediately demonstrating explosive advances. Mr. Miscavige led the audience on a global tour, beginning in the US with stops at Churches in New York; Washington, DC; and Twin Cities—then to Europe for Milan and Stuttgart, and in the Far East from Tokyo and Kaohsiung, culminating in the newest Ideal Org in Eastern Cape in South Africa. Perfectly primed with the most important training in Scientology history, this new breed of executive has fueled double-digit growth in Churches around the world—propelling individuals toward total spiritual freedom.

“There is one last story still waiting to rise,” Mr. Miscavige continued, before the Shrine erupted in a crescendo of celebration as he unveiled the forthcoming Ideal Org in Puerto Rico. Salsa music next lifted the night, as a cinematic preview of the dazzling new building in the heart of San Juan sparked a wave of Puerto Rican flags across the auditorium. The historic ribbon-cutting, heralding the first Ideal Org for the Caribbean, is set to take place in the coming weeks.

The celebration swelled once again, with anticipation filling the air as over 240 Scientologists were honored as Power Field Staff Members (FSMs) for having helped at least 100 individuals onto and up the Bridge to Total Freedom in 2025. Even more remarkable, an astonishing 12 Scientologists were awarded as Elite FSMs, having helped 1,000 or more individuals up the Bridge in just the past year.

The final dramatic revelation came as Mr. Miscavige announced the newest broadcast message for the curious—an anthem for the indomitable human spirit and the soul of humanity. Set to premiere during Super Bowl LX and the World Cup in 2026, the message will reach more people in more nations than ever before.

With that look toward tomorrow, the evening drew to its close. And just as “Auld Lang Syne” marks the promise of a new year, it is a time-honored Scientology tradition that Mr. Miscavige sets the course for limitless horizons that lie ahead.

“And so, as we stand at the threshold of a new year, you have just seen what happens when LRH Technology meets the real world,” Mr. Miscavige said. “But the truth is, everything you saw tonight now turns to you.”

“Because if every Scientologist here tonight moves forward with the certainty of LRH, if every Scientologist here tonight takes the next step and helps another take theirs, then there is no distance we cannot close, no barrier we cannot break and no future beyond our reach.”

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SOURCE Church of Scientology International

• $1.4 million-plus raised in 2025 includes $200,000 from Marathon Board
• Total raised since 2012 climbs above $15 million
• Marathon, Hospital & Nationwide extend Partnership through 2027
• Registration Launched, Mile Champions Revealed on New Year’s Day

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The 14-year partnership between the Columbus Marathon, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Nationwide will continue for at least two more years thanks to an extension of the relationship launched in 2012 that has resulted in more than $15 million in support for the Hospital.

Of this total, millions of dollars have come through fundraising efforts by athletes taking part in the 26.2-mile and 13.1-mile races along with corporate donations. Additionally, the Columbus Marathon Board of Trustees has donated $1.7 million from race proceeds, including a $200,000 donation resulting from the October 2025 race. When the partnership was launched in 2012 the Board set a goal of donating at least $100,000 per year.

“No single entity or supporter makes this Partnership successful – it is a collective effort involving thousands of people and organizations,” said Eric Motter, Chairman of the Columbus Marathon Board of Trustees. “However, the foresight and support of Nationwide from the start and over the years has been key to the results that support Nationwide Children’s Hospital, one of our community’s greatest assets.”

Since the partnership began in 2012 it has been extended several times, and the new agreement adds two more years to the relationship.

“Nationwide is proud to further our commitment to this impactful community collaboration,” said Chad Jester, Nationwide’s Vice President of Corporate Citizenship and President of the Nationwide Foundation. “The race continues to raise much needed funds for the hospital so they can continue their work of providing world class care to every child who needs it, regardless of the family’s ability to pay. We’re immensely thankful for all the support given over the years and look forward to seeing how this partnership can make a difference in the years to come.”

“Nationwide Children’s is proud to continue our longstanding partnership with Nationwide and the Columbus Marathon. Supporting the health and well–being of children and families is central to who we are, and the generosity of the Columbus Marathon community continues to inspire us. Every dollar raised directly supports the patients and families who rely on Nationwide Children’s, and we are deeply grateful for the athletes, sponsors, volunteers, and partners who make this possible year after year,” said Steve Testa, President, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Additionally, today the Columbus Marathon kicked off registration for the October 2026 event and also introduced a number of its “Marathon Mile Champions” – patients from Nationwide Children’s Hospital who are honored along the 26.2-mile race route.*

“We call it ‘America’s Most Meaningful Race,’ and when our athletes see those kids out on the course Race Day they understand and support the significance behind the name,” said Darris Blackford, Race Director. “Given that we have sold out our Marathon & ½ Marathon fields for the past three years and registration today is already strong, we foresee great things for 2026.”

*2026 Marathon Mile Champions (first round; the stories can be read here):

Braylee, 14, Malignant Mixed Germ Cell Ovarian Tumor, Pataskala, OH
Don, 7, Spastic Quad Cerebral Palsy and Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia Type 4, Zanesville, OH
Finn, 9, Gene Deletion, Adrenal Insufficiency and Hypothyroidism, Springfield, OH
Kaden, 9, SC Sickle Cell, Cystic Fibrosis, and Pancreatic Insufficiency, Columbus, OH
Kenadee, 10, Wilm’s Tumor, Vincent, OH
Luca, 8, Sensorineural Hearing Loss, Canal Winchester, OH
Maddie, 9, Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus, VACTERL, and Hearing Loss, Munroe Falls, OH
Marinn, 19, Complete ACL Ruptures x3, Marion, OH
Natalie, 8, Cerebral Palsy, Stage 4 Kidney Disease, and Hearing Loss, Columbus, OH
Noah, 13, Congenital Heart Disease, Columbus, OH
Nora, 10, Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum, Colpocephaly, and Microcephaly, Hilliard, OH
Parker, 11, Craniopharyngioma, Pataskala, OH
Parker, 15, Chronic Pancreatitis, Mayfield, OH
Quentin, 9, Burkitt Leukemia, Blacklick, OH
Savannah Jo, 12, Prematurity, Bluffton, OH
Winnie, 11, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type II, Morgantown, WV
Zoe, 7, Pediatric Feeding Disorder, Kettering, OH

About Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon:
The 46^th Columbus Marathon will be held Sunday, October 18; this year marks the 20^th edition of the ½ Marathon. For more information, visit www.columbusmarathon.com.

About Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Named to the Top 10 Honor Roll on U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-26 list of “Best Children’s Hospitals,” Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of America’s largest not-for-profit free-standing pediatric health care systems providing unique expertise in pediatric population health, behavioral health, genomics and health equity as the next frontiers in pediatric medicine, leading to best outcomes for the health of the whole child. Integrated clinical and research programs, as well as prioritizing quality and safety, are part of what allows Nationwide Children’s to advance its unique model of care. Nationwide Children’s has a staff of more than 17,000 that provides state-of-the-art wellness, preventive and rehabilitative care and diagnostic treatment during more than 1.9 million patient visits annually. As home to the Department of Pediatrics of The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Nationwide Children’s physicians train the next generation of pediatricians and pediatric specialists. The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of the Top 10 National Institutes of Health-funded free-standing pediatric research facilities. More information is available at NationwideChildrens.org.

For more information contact:
Sarah Irvin, Irvin PR, 614.296.4057

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/columbus-marathon-set-fundraising-record-for-nationwide-childrens-hospital-in-2025-302651326.html

SOURCE Columbus Marathon

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Jan. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — MemorialCare‘s Long Beach Medical Center, Orange Coast Medical Center, and Saddleback Medical Center have received multiple honors in the 2026 Women’s Choice Awards, including the newest recognition for excellence in Knee and Hip Replacement. This year, all MemorialCare hospitals were honored in 10 different categories representing diverse clinical strengths. These awards are especially significant because they acknowledge hospitals that meet rigorous standards for clinical performance, safety, and patient satisfaction, helping guide women to trusted health care providers.

“This acknowledgement demonstrates that women trust us with their health, and that of their families,” says, Eugene Kim, M.D., chief medical officer, MemorialCare. “We honor that trust by providing the highest standard of care through ongoing innovation and high-quality care, while supporting patient empowerment and advocacy.”

Orange Coast Medical Center earned accolades as a Best Hospital for Patient Safety, Heart Care, Cancer Care, Bariatric Surgery, Obstetrics, Women’s Services, Orthopedics, and Knee and Hip Replacement. Saddleback Medical Center received distinctions as a Best Hospital for Patient Safety, Heart Care, Stroke Care, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Obstetrics, Orthopedics, and Knee and Hip Replacement. Long Beach Medical Center was recognized as a Best Hospital for Heart Care, Stroke Care, and Cancer Care.

The newly released Knee and Hip Replacement Award honors hospitals that demonstrate rigorous standards for surgical outcomes, safety, and patient satisfaction. As more women pursue joint replacement procedures to enhance mobility and quality of life, this award guides patients to hospitals with proven expertise and compassionate care.

The distinction highlights leadership through the MemorialCare Orthopedic & Spine Institute, which provides minimally invasive surgery, advanced rehabilitation technology, and personalized treatment plans. The MemorialCare Orthopedic & Spine Institute sets MemorialCare apart with board-certified surgeons, pre-surgical education, and the latest innovations like Mako technology for knee and hip replacement surgery, and the da Vinci V Surgical System—delivering enhanced precision, improved outcomes, and a less invasive surgical experience.

The Women’s Choice Awards evaluate hospitals nationwide using evidence-based criteria, including patient satisfaction scores, clinical performance, and hospital accreditations. Hospitals meeting the highest standards are designated as trusted options for women seeking exceptional care. MemorialCare continues its dedication to advancing women’s health through compassionate care, specialized programs, and ongoing innovation. The 2026 Women’s Choice Awards affirm MemorialCare’s role as a leader in empowering women to make informed decisions for lifelong health and well-being.

About MemorialCare 
MemorialCare is a not-for-profit, integrated healthcare system with over 200 care locations, including leading hospitals like Saddleback Medical Center, Orange Coast Medical Center, Long Beach Medical Center, and Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital. It comprises MemorialCare Medical Group, MemorialCare Independent Physicians, MemorialCare Select Health Plan, outpatient and urgent care centers across South Bay and South Orange County, including subscription-free virtual care services. Since 2020, MemorialCare’s “Get Care Now” offers HIPAA-compliant, 24/7 virtual care for urgent and primary needs statewide. MemorialCare’s clinical networks include the MemorialCare Orthopedic & Spine Institute, MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute, MemorialCare Cancer Institute, and MemorialCare Research Program. National accolades include Healthgrades America’s Top 250 Hospitals and U.S. News & World Report Best Hospital in OBGYN, with regional recognition in the Los Angeles Metro Area and “high performing” in 46 clinical categories. Visit memorialcare.org.

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SOURCE MemorialCare

Contribution is Third this Year as Need Rises

OAKLAND, Calif., Dec. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Just in time for the holidays, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is contributing $1 million to local food banks to help feed the growing number of individuals and families struggling to put food on the table.

The PG&E funding will provide the equivalent of approximately 3 million meals for individuals and families. It will support 38 food banks representing 47 counties in PG&E’s Northern and Central California service area.

It is the third contribution to food banks since September from PG&E or The PG&E Corporation Foundation (the PG&E Foundation), bringing the total for community food support this year to $2.37 million. Funding for these charitable contributions comes from PG&E shareholders, not PG&E customers.

Officials with the California Association of Food Banks said that food banks are facing record-breaking demand, the highest since the pandemic.

“California food banks experienced an unexpected surge with the [federal government] shutdown this fall. So, we reached out for help on their behalf and PG&E responded,” said Stacia Levenfeld, Chief Executive Officer of California Association of Food Banks. “Their $1 million gift to food banks throughout Northern and Central California will have a meaningful impact on the lives of millions of people this holiday season and help food banks continue their critical work in our communities.”

“We are grateful to help local food banks fulfill their mission during this time of increasing demand, especially as more families and seniors are struggling through the holiday season. Our longstanding partnership with the California Association of Food Banks supports the safety net that is our local food banks,” said Carla Peterman, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, PG&E Corporation and Chair of The PG&E Corporation Foundation Board.

2025 Support for Food Banks

In September, the PG&E Foundation awarded $1.12 million to support local food banks, tribal food banks and senior meal programs. In November, the PG&E Foundation donated $250,000 to the California Association of Food Banks’ Emergency Response Fund.

According to the California Association of Food Banks, while California produces nearly half of the nation’s fruits and vegetables, more than one in five residents do not know where their next meal will come from. Communities of color face even higher levels of food insecurity.

Grant amounts that will be awarded to local organizations account for county poverty and unemployment levels, using the California Department of Social Services’ formula, to promote equity among counties with higher need.

About The PG&E Corporation Foundation
The PG&E Corporation Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, separate from PG&E and sponsored by PG&E Corporation.

About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pge-donates-1-million-to-local-food-banks-to-feed-families-302651003.html

SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Contribution is Third this Year as Need Rises

OAKLAND, Calif., Dec. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Just in time for the holidays, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is contributing $1 million to local food banks to help feed the growing number of individuals and families struggling to put food on the table.

The PG&E funding will provide the equivalent of approximately 3 million meals for individuals and families. It will support 38 food banks representing 47 counties in PG&E’s Northern and Central California service area.

It is the third contribution to food banks since September from PG&E or The PG&E Corporation Foundation (the PG&E Foundation), bringing the total for community food support this year to $2.37 million. Funding for these charitable contributions comes from PG&E shareholders, not PG&E customers.

Officials with the California Association of Food Banks said that food banks are facing record-breaking demand, the highest since the pandemic.

“California food banks experienced an unexpected surge with the [federal government] shutdown this fall. So, we reached out for help on their behalf and PG&E responded,” said Stacia Levenfeld, Chief Executive Officer of California Association of Food Banks. “Their $1 million gift to food banks throughout Northern and Central California will have a meaningful impact on the lives of millions of people this holiday season and help food banks continue their critical work in our communities.”

“We are grateful to help local food banks fulfill their mission during this time of increasing demand, especially as more families and seniors are struggling through the holiday season. Our longstanding partnership with the California Association of Food Banks supports the safety net that is our local food banks,” said Carla Peterman, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, PG&E Corporation and Chair of The PG&E Corporation Foundation Board.

2025 Support for Food Banks

In September, the PG&E Foundation awarded $1.12 million to support local food banks, tribal food banks and senior meal programs. In November, the PG&E Foundation donated $250,000 to the California Association of Food Banks’ Emergency Response Fund.

According to the California Association of Food Banks, while California produces nearly half of the nation’s fruits and vegetables, more than one in five residents do not know where their next meal will come from. Communities of color face even higher levels of food insecurity.

Grant amounts that will be awarded to local organizations account for county poverty and unemployment levels, using the California Department of Social Services’ formula, to promote equity among counties with higher need.

About The PG&E Corporation Foundation
The PG&E Corporation Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, separate from PG&E and sponsored by PG&E Corporation.

About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pge-donates-1-million-to-local-food-banks-to-feed-families-302651003.html

SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company

The co-op supported its broader sustainability work with innovative partnerships in 2025.

SEATTLE, Dec. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Over the past year, the co-op took meaningful steps to reduce our impact on the planet and support the long-term health of the places and communities we love. This work reflects our climate strategy, bringing cooperative action together to drive change with speed and scale.

“When companies come together, climate action becomes more real and more lasting,” said Andrew Dempsey, Director of Sustainability, REI Co-op. “We’re grateful for the partners who’ve helped make this work possible. We’re focused on continuing this work and backing solutions that make a real difference for communities and help keep the outdoors healthy for the future.”

A key part of the co-op’s efforts in 2025 supported local clean energy projects in the communities where we operate. Over the past year, we worked with partners to help develop several new renewable energy initiatives, including:

• A new 2.5MW community solar project in Woodbury, MN being developed by US Solar. This initiative will enable nearly 500 low-to moderate-income households to subscribe to renewable energy, reducing utility bills and adding clean power to the grid near REI’s Bloomington store.
• An aggregated Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) with Carhartt and other partners, helping to accelerate renewable energy development in Texas by adding 18.5 MW of solar energy to the grid.

Alongside new clean energy projects, we also marked progress on work already underway. In South Carolina, we celebrated the launch of a renewable energy project with Ever.green, adding more clean power to the grid and building on earlier investments.

Over the past year, REI extended its partnership with Sol Systems and Nester Hosiery, one of our largest U.S. manufacturing partners, through a new three-year renewable energy certificate purchase.

Our partnership with Sol Systems also expanded beyond energy. In 2025, We worked together to support environmental education at Florida Atlantic University’s Pine Jog Center. Through the Community Impact Program, up to 48 high school students will participate in immersive, college-credit-bearing residential programs focused on climate resilience and ecosystem science.

Students will gain hands-on field experience studying South Florida’s wetlands, rivers, and coastal ecosystems, connect with environmental scientists, and return to their communities as ambassadors for climate resilience. The program builds on our renewable energy investments across Florida and shows how clean energy can support people as well as the planet.

Supporting climate solutions rooted in nature

Over the year, we also took steps to support climate solutions that work with nature. REI became the first retail company to join the Symbiosis Coalition, a group working to accelerate the deployment of nature-based carbon removal like reforestation and agroforestry projects. These efforts help support healthy ecosystems while expanding access to climate solutions for organizations of all sizes.

Reducing impact through better materials

In addition to energy and climate solutions, we made progress on reducing the impact of the materials we use in REI Co-op brand products. REI signed a three-year agreement with Ambercycle to purchase 200 tons per year of their innovative cycora® regenerated polyester that uses recycled textile waste as a feedstock to make new, high-quality materials. This step will help REI cut emissions, reduce waste and move toward a more “circular” lifecycle for the products we make.

By pairing clean energy projects with community programs and choosing lower-impact materials, we continued to make practical progress across our climate work over the past year.

Learn more about our impact work at rei.com/impact.

About the REI Co-op
REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation’s largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of 24 million members who expect and love the best quality gear and outstanding customer service. In addition to the co-op’s many stores across the country, outdoor enthusiasts can shop at REI.com, REI Outlet or the REI shopping app. Everyone is welcome to shop REI, but members who join the co-op enjoy a range of benefits. REI is a purpose-driven and values-led company dedicated to enabling life outside for all.

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SOURCE REI Co-op

BEIJING, Dec. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On December 29, China’s Ministry of Natural Resources released a survey report on the coral reef ecosystem of Huangyan Dao. Based on this report, CMG Voice of the South China Sea released the ecological documentary An Unfading Commitment: Why Huangyan Dao Needs Protection.

This latest report, spanning four decades from 1985 to 2025, draws on data from over 60 research voyages, and integrates 16 years of satellite remote sensing data. It shows that the coral reef ecosystem of Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve is generally in good condition.

The documentary An Unfading Commitment: Why Huangyan Dao Needs Protection presents audiences with the healthy and lush seagrass, as well as the rare and endangered wildlife freely inhabiting the Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve, such as the Green Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle, and Spotted Eagle Ray. At the same time, the film conveys scientists’ concerns: threats represented by the fourth global coral bleaching event are ever present. This survey also identified the presence of a small number of crown of thorns starfish in the waters around Huangyan Dao, and the risk of future outbreaks cannot be ruled out.

Today, more than 2,500 marine protected areas involving coral reefs have been established worldwide. The establishment of Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve is undoubtedly a solemn commitment made by the Chinese people, in the hope that it will inspire more people to help maintain and enhance the diversity, stability, and sustainability of the coral reef ecosystem of Huangyan Dao.

https://vscs.cri.cn/20251229/d487c6b7-8724-4ad6-bf75-968c8dcac4cc.html

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/release-of-the-latest-ecological-documentary-on-huangyan-dao-an-unfading-commitment-why-huangyan-dao-needs-protection-302651292.html

SOURCE China Media Group

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Dec. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Scrap Management Industries, Inc. (SMI), one of the Midwest’s leading ferrous and nonferrous metal recycling companies, today announced it has acquired Allmetal Recycling, a scrap metal recycling company based in Kansas.

The acquisition expands SMI’s presence across the region by adding Allmetal’s network of 10 locations in Kansas, including three yards in Wichita and additional facilities in Salina, Newton, Harper, McPherson, Great Bend, Kingman and Pratt. With this significant combination, SMI will operate 5 Automobile Shredders – including two Mega Shredders – across 19 yards in three primary regions across Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma with services spanning the surrounding states and communities.

“Allmetal is exactly the kind of company we want to grow with,” said Jerrit Burgess, CEO of Scrap Management Industries. “Both companies are family built and locally led. Allmetal has done an outstanding job serving Kansas communities and its industrial partners. Bringing their team into the SMI family allows us to offer more locations, more capacity and even better service while keeping decisions close to the communities we serve.”

Allmetal will continue to operate under its own name as part of the SMI family of companies. Allmetal customers and community partners will get the same great experience they have come to know while gaining access to the broader resources, relationships and operational support of SMI.

Allmetal Recycling was established in 2009 and is owned and operated by cousins Clint and Kolby Cornejo, who have built the company into a leading metal recycler in Kansas with a strong reputation for safety, service and community involvement. Both Clint and Kolby are remaining with the company in leadership roles as part of the combined organization and will continue to be actively involved in day-to-day operations.

“We have always believed that scrap metal recycling is a local business,” said Clint Cornejo. “SMI shares that belief. They are family owned, they understand the value of local teams and they are committed to investing in the people and facilities that make this business work.”

“Joining the SMI family allows us to keep doing what we do best for our customers and communities, while creating new opportunities for our employees as the combined business grows,” added Kolby Cornejo.

For industrial and commercial partners, the combined company can now provide a broader footprint, more container and transportation options and expanded capacity to handle complex scrap programs across multiple locations.

For walk-in customers at both SMI and Allmetal locations, the acquisition means more convenient options to recycle scrap with a larger company that is continuing to invest in facilities, equipment and overall customer experience.

About Scrap Management Industries (SMI)
Founded in 1973, Scrap Management Industries is a leading recycler of ferrous and nonferrous metals with locations in Kansas City and St. Joseph, Missouri, and multiple facilities across Kansas and Oklahoma. SMI focuses on transparent, ethical practices, clean and well-maintained facilities and community engagement, and continues to advance metal recycling technology and environmental stewardship. Learn more at smirecyclers.com.

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SOURCE Scrap Management Industries