Author: sHq_LoGiNz

Perspective: In the Age of AI, TCS goIT™ Is More Relevant Than Ever

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Bio:
Lina Klebanov oversees corporate social responsibility, philanthropic programs, employee engagement, and strategic partnerships for TCS in North America. She’s been guiding the company’s cross-sector efforts to advance equitable digital opportunity since 2016. 

Program Timeline 

  • Tata Consultancy Services recently celebrated 15 years of enhancing STEM education and serving youth through its Go Innovate Together (goIT™) initiative
  • The program started in Milford, Ohio in 2009, when TCS staff created a summer camp experience to get students interested in computer science and prepare them for careers in the field.
  • Today, TCS goIT includes camps, workshops, curricula for classrooms and after-school programs, and competitions for students.
  • goIT offers lessons on AI fundamentals, machine learning, and Generative AI (Gen AI).
  • TCS helps students make the most of these technologies responsibly by providing training modules to educators so they can encourage students to incorporate AI into the innovation concepts they develop through the goIT program, to help them stay ahead of the curve.
  • To date, goIT has reached more than 350,000 students around the world with skill-building opportunities. The program enables students to develop and apply acquired tech knowledge and skills to real-world problems, such as the challenges defined by the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

Smiles. Big, beaming smiles and the sparkling eyes that accompany them when students present their innovations to judges from the stage. This is the first thing I think about when I hear, “goIT.” 

TCS’ Go Innovate Together (goIT™) program is an innovation and career readiness program for students aged 6-17. It’s also a smile maker. 

Whether they access the program through families, a teacher or a nonprofit’s after-school program, students go through the experience joyfully, discovering new perspectives and previously undiscovered talents. Learning as much about the tech world as they do about themselves, students experience  pure joy with the program. Their learning processes and innovations may all be different, but their radiant happiness and confidence is always a constant at program culminations, competitions where they “pitch” their ideas for a chance to win feedback, medals, mentoring opportunities and more.

goIT exposes students across North America to technologies such as AI that are rapidly changing the world.  It also demonstrates how tech can be used for positive social and environmental impact, providing students with relevant skills and the mindsets needed to pursue careers in STEM fields. Helping educators cover several timely AI tech pathways, goIT does not shy away from either new technologies or challenging global social and environmental issues. 

Created in 2009, goIT was launched when a group of TCS associates in Milford, Ohio, recognized that there weren’t enough skilled candidates for the jobs  in their office. Motivated to change that, they started goIT as a small summer camp experience for a few dozen students in the Cincinnati area. Attendees learned how to code robots to perform basic tasks from enthusiastic IT experts who spent three days as volunteer camp facilitators, inspiring them to pursue future careers in technology. Instantly, they knew what they had was special, but had no idea they were starting a movement.

It was good timing.

As reported by research firm Gartner, IT jobs had started to morph into four different domains around that time:

  1. Technology Infrastructure and Services, emphasizing technical knowledge around how different technologies work
  2. Information Design and Management, focused more on business-specific knowledge
  3. Process Design and Management, which balances business knowledge with a deep understanding of core processes across industry sectors
  4. Relationship and Sourcing Management, balancing business and core process knowledge with the ability to excel in negotiations and relationship management

Further, in 2009, the National Science Foundation reported that men outnumbered women 3 to 1 in all sectors of science and engineering careers in the US, and women were significantly underrepresented in both STEM degrees and jobs in across the country. Researchers studying the gap in STEM jobs between the genders noted that it got smaller with increases in educational attainment. Yet women held significantly fewer STEM degrees compared with men, and fewer women than men with STEM undergraduate degrees actually ended up in STEM jobs. 

In the years following goIT’s first summer camp, led by a TCS associate, Brian Purvis, we took the program across the US, and, in 2014, across the border to Canada. By 2020, we had expanded goIT with the help of fully engaged, compassionate employee volunteers. Brian, for instance, served as a subject matter expert for the development of goIT’s Internet of Things curriculum, known as a “tech pathway.” We also collaborated with other tech experts to develop more offerings as we laid the foundation for a meaningful global program. The growth of the program skyrocketed,  expanding from two to 48 countries  from 2020–2024. Today, goIT has reached more than 350,000 students, with 49% of participants being girls and approximately 75% representing ethnic minorities.

In goIT programs, these students develop and apply knowledge and skills such as AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), and app design to create solutions to real-world problems. And they do so with heart and purpose. Today, goIT engages female and minority K-12 students as a program priority, because we’re confident that a fun and meaningful experience with technology can stimulate girls’ interest in STEM education and careers—and that goIT can instill the confidence they need to pursue them.

TCS’ investments in STEM education programs—with the help of program leaders, the generous volunteers who give of their time and expertise, and thousands of teacher and student participants—are creating positive change. In addition, these programs will help tech employers benefit from the perspectives of individuals from underrepresented groups.

The new goIT GenAI tech pathway—the educator support we launched this year to teach students about Generative AI—was particularly timely. I can’t think of a better way for TCS to celebrate 15 years of goIT and  launch the program’s next 15 years. 

As I look back, some of my favorite goIT memories include:

  • Seeing smiles on the faces of the 75% female goIT Live group in our 2024 Honolulu Schools program.
  • Judging the 10th annual Toronto District School Board’s 2023–2024 goIT program culmination, which featured 250 K-12 innovators and their big dreams for sustainable development
  • The year that astronaut Nicole Stott encouraged youth to enter the goIT Global Innovator of the Year competition as “crew members, not passengers” on spaceship Earth
  • The three consecutive years that the goIT Global Innovator of the Year was a girl or team of girls
    • I loved celebrating 14-year-old Laura F. (2022–2023), 13-year-old Casey S. 2023–2024), and seventh graders Elizabeth and Eloise (2024-2025) when they were recognized
  • The day I learned that a goIT alumnus took the confidence he gained innovating in the program to do something quite extraordinary—build his own, motorized prosthetic hand.

goIT has proven itself to have the relevance, stamina, credibility and longevity to continue for many more years. That is definitely a good thing because there is so much more work to do as the Age of Intelligence advances and changes everything we know about life and work. 

Get involved with goIT early and often. Visit https://on.tcs.com/goIT-AMERS to explore the program’s offerings or send a note of interest to northamerica.csr@tcs.com to get started.

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Direct Relief Expands Global Humanitarian Operations With Opening of European Headquarters in Frankfurt

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FRANKFURT, Germany, November 4, 2025 /3BL/ – In response to rising global health needs and growing strain on public health systems, Direct Relief has opened a new European headquarters to enhance its ability to deliver essential medical resources to communities facing urgent health challenges.

“This expansion reflects Direct Relief’s commitment to addressing urgent health needs wherever they arise,” said Amy Weaver, CEO of Direct Relief. “Establishing a presence in Europe enables greater collaboration and helps ensure that critical medical resources reach the people and places that need them most—quickly and reliably.”

The new European headquarters, based in Frankfurt and legally registered in Germany as Direct Relief gGmbH, will serve as a logistics and partnership hub, building on long-standing collaborations with European pharmaceutical and medical product manufacturers.

“Frankfurt is proud to welcome Direct Relief as part of our international community,” said Eileen O’Sullivan, Deputy Mayor for International Affairs of the City of Frankfurt. “Establishing their European headquarters here strengthens Frankfurt’s role as a global hub for collaboration and humanitarian engagement and contributes to strengthening democracy through international solidarity.”

Over the past decade, Direct Relief has delivered more than $16 billion USD in medical aid throughout Europe and around the world. Roughly a quarter of the medicines Direct Relief delivers worldwide originate in Europe, supported by partnerships with leading European companies.

“We’re grateful to Direct Relief for their longstanding partnership and look forward to supporting and working with them as they expand their important work,” said Bayer AG Chief Executive Officer Bill Anderson. “Bayer’s mission is Health for all, Hunger for none. And we see organizations like Direct Relief as vital partners in achieving that mission”

As health systems face mounting pressure from conflict, climate-related disasters, and economic instability, the ability to deliver targeted, high-impact humanitarian medical aid has become increasingly vital.

“Promoting health equity is at the heart of our sustainability efforts,” said Shashank Deshpande, Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors at Boehringer Ingelheim. “Direct Relief’s expansion in Europe strengthens global health systems and ensures critical care reaches underserved communities worldwide. We are proud to support their mission and to help deliver sustainable health solutions where they are needed most.”

Europe has been integral to Direct Relief’s humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, which has surpassed $2 billion USD in medical aid since the war began in 2022.

“Direct Relief has been consistently supporting Ukraine’s healthcare system throughout the war,” said Viktor Liashko, Ukraine’s Minister of Health. “ This assistance is coordinated with the Ministry of Health, ensuring that resources are directed where they are needed most. We highly value this partnership, which saves Ukrainian lives and strengthens the resilience of healthcare services. In the most challenging moments — when hospitals operate under shelling, when the power goes out but doctors continue treating patients — the support of Direct Relief is especially tangible. It stands as an example of effective international solidarity, embodied in concrete results: modern equipment, medicines, backup power systems, and the development of rehabilitation and mental health services.”

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Leading Charitable Fundraising Platform Charitybuzz Partners with Change to Fuel their Next Phase of Growth

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Change’s compliance infrastructure designed for professional fundraisers automates nonprofit onboarding, vetting, and payment flows for Charitybuzz.

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Charitybuzz, the premier destination for charitable auctions and sweepstakes, today announced its partnership with Change, the leading compliance and donation infrastructure platform for charitable fundraising. Since 2005, Charitybuzz has raised more than $650 million for nonprofits worldwide. Through this collaboration, the company will unlock new capacity for growth by automating payment flows, gaining real-time visibility into donations sent, and accelerating nonprofit onboarding and vetting.

Through its online platform, Charitybuzz offers unforgettable experiences and prizes – like VIP tickets to Coachella or private ski lessons with U.S. Olympian Lindsey Vonn – to benefit causes. As Charitybuzz aims to continue to increase the amount raised for charities, they will need a technology partner that can keep them compliant and scale the business efficiently. By adopting Change’s technology, Charitybuzz replaces manual, time-intensive processes – like spending 80+ hours per month compiling spreadsheets of transaction data – with a fully automated platform that manages nonprofit vetting, onboarding, and the highly complex payment flows that professional fundraisers must manage.

“Change has best-in-class technology for professional fundraisers,” said Ben Erwin, Chief Executive Officer of Charitybuzz. “This partnership allows us to navigate complex compliance requirements with confidence and focus on growing our campaigns. With Change’s support, we’re excited to raise more money for charities and deepen our impact for incredible causes.”

The partnership also underscores Charitybuzz’s commitment to leading the way in responsible innovation. With Change’s compliance infrastructure, Charitybuzz can better navigate complex state-by-state fundraising regulations while reducing operational burden on its finance and legal teams. The collaboration represents a model for how technology can help professional fundraisers raise more money while maintaining transparency and trust in the philanthropic ecosystem.

“Charitybuzz has built one of the most innovative fundraising platforms in the world,” said Sonia Nigam, Co-Founder and CEO of Change. “Our partnership represents the future of charitable fundraising: one where technology and compliance work in tandem to bring greater trust and impact to the sector.”

Erwin also sat down with the Change team for a recent episode of the Give Smart video series, where he discussed the challenges professional fundraisers face and Charitybuzz’s vision for expanding access to philanthropy through creative pathways.

This partnership reflects a broader shift toward modernizing compliance in the charitable sector, ensuring professional fundraisers can operate with greater efficiency and confidence.

About Change

 Change is a technology platform that enables companies to launch compliant charitable giving programs at scale. Through its Donations API, compliance dashboard, and nonprofit verification tools, Change powers donation experiences such as round-ups, sweepstakes, and percentage-of-purchase campaigns. Change helps companies meet state compliance requirements, including commercial co-venture agreements, charitable fundraising platform regulations, and nonprofit registration renewals, ensuring that every donation is delivered with accuracy and transparency.

About Charitybuzz


Charitybuzz 
is the world’s leading impact marketplace, uniting once-in-a-lifetime experiences and exclusive access with charitable giving. Since 2005, Charitybuzz has raised over $650 million in unrestricted funding for thousands of nonprofits worldwide, helping organizations reach new donors and unlock incremental revenue. Through auctions, a buy now shop, sweepstakes, and private client services, Charitybuzz transforms cultural capital into meaningful impact, spanning luxury travel, rare collectibles, and VIP access across entertainment, business, sports, and culture. Charitybuzz has partnered with leading organizations including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Make-A-Wish, MusiCares, ACLU, and Broadway Cares, connecting its global community with icons such as Paul McCartney, George Clooney, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Oprah Winfrey, and Tim Cook, among many others.

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SOURCE Change

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Golf Galaxy, DICK'S House of Sport and Youth on Course Partner To Provide Young People With Access to Golf

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Originally published on DICK’S Sporting Goods Sideline Report

Golf Galaxy, DICK’S House of Sport and Youth on Course are growing the game of golf, supporting youth development and breaking down financial barriers to the game with a partnership that gives youth members access to discounted simulator rental fees, a complementary lesson, special in-store events and more. This partnership spans all current and future Golf Galaxy and DICK’S House of Sport stores and comes off the heels of a successful 25 store pilot program at select Golf Galaxy locations, which saw over 2,000 hours in simulator rental time from Youth on Course members this summer.

This newly forged relationship marks the first time ever that members will have access to indoor simulator opportunities and professional golf instruction. With this, Golf Galaxy and House of Sport are offering members access to lessons and coaching, an essential next step in their golf development journey.

“The game of golf is experiencing such great momentum, with participation growing and more ways to enjoy the game than ever before,” said Ryan Bogosta, Vice President – Golf Galaxy. “At Golf Galaxy and DICK’S House of Sport, we are in a unique position to contribute to the growth of the game, especially with the next generation of golfers. We love the work Youth on Course is doing to make this amazing game more accessible to young athletes everywhere, and we are thrilled to be partnering with them. Through this relationship, we have the opportunity to impact tens of thousands of young golfers across the country and make the game even more inclusive.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Golf Galaxy and DICK’S House of Sport to launch a new pathway for our members to play, learn, and develop in the sport year-round,” said Michael Lowe, Head of Impact at Youth on Course. “By providing access to instruction and indoor facilities, we’re removing another barrier and ensuring that every young person, regardless of background, can continue building their skills and confidence in an environment built to support them.”

As of today, Youth on Course members can receive exclusive in-store benefits at any Golf Galaxy and DICK’S House of Sport store. Those include one free golf lesson from a PGA Teaching Professional, simulator rentals for only $5 per hour, and access to special in-store events. To redeem these benefits, Youth on Course members must:

There are currently over 110 Golf Galaxy stores and soon-to-be 35 DICK’S House of Sport locations across the U.S.

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The Mountain Lion Foundation Appoints Ellen C. O’Connell as Executive Director and Byron Weckworth as Chief Conservation and Advocacy Officer

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SACRAMENTO, Calif., Nov. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Mountain Lion Foundation (MLF) is excited to announce two key leadership appointments: Ellen C. O’Connell as Executive Director, effective November 1, 2025, and Byron Weckworth, Ph.D., as Chief Conservation and Advocacy Officer, effective November 10, 2025.


Creating a world where lions and people co-exist.

For nearly 40 years, MLF has been the nation’s leading voice for America’s lion, championing landmark victories like California’s Proposition 117, protecting habitat and wildlife corridors, and inspiring a national movement for coexistence between people and mountain lions. Under O’Connell’s leadership, MLF will build on this proud history to deepen partnerships, advance science-based advocacy, and ensure that the next generation inherits a landscape where people and mountain lions can thrive together.

O’Connell brings over three decades of nonprofit leadership experience.  She served as CEO of Farm Sanctuary, Executive Director of Tusk USA, and Vice President at the International Rescue Committee, and has worked in more than 90 countries across six continents. 

Her work, from protecting wildlife in Africa to advancing policy reform for food systems in the US, builds on 16 years in humanitarian aid, where she saw how the health of people, animals, and the planet are deeply connected. As Chair of the Wildlife Justice Commission Investigations, she helps expose and dismantle criminal networks driving the illegal wildlife trade, one of the most urgent threats to global biodiversity.

“Ellen’s record of turning vision into measurable impact makes her an ideal leader for this next chapter,” said John Ziegler, Chair of the Mountain Lion Foundation Board. “She will build on the Foundation’s remarkable 40-year legacy—strengthening partnerships, advancing advocacy, and expanding protections for America’s lion.”

Weckworth brings 25 years of experience in global carnivore conservation and strategic communications. At Panthera, he led their Snow Leopard Program, founded the Conservation Genetics Program, and championed international initiatives uniting science, policy, and community engagement to protect wild cats and their habitats. He will oversee MLF’s science and advocacy portfolio, guiding efforts to advance lasting protections for mountain lions and the wild landscapes they depend on.

Together, O’Connell and Weckworth will guide MLF’s next era, building on its proud legacy of advocacy, science, and storytelling to secure a future where mountain lions and people coexist across a connected, thriving landscape.

“I’m deeply honored to have been chosen to lead Mountain Lion Foundation, an organization whose legacy has defined how America thinks about cougars and coexistence,” said O’Connell. “MLF’s history is proof that advocacy, partnership, and science can change outcomes for wildlife. I’m excited to build on that foundation and to work alongside our supporters, partners, and communities to protect America’s lion and the wild places we share.”

About the Mountain Lion Foundation
Founded in 1986, MLF is the only organization dedicated exclusively to protecting mountain lions and the wild landscapes they depend on. Learn more at www.mountainlion.org.

Press Contact:
Mountain Lion Foundation
916-442-2666
press@mountainlion.org


Photo Credit: Keli Hendricks

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SOURCE Mountain Lion Foundation

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Colossal x PAWS: Registration Open for America’s Favorite Pet® 2026, a Fundraiser to Celebrate the Human-Animal Bond

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PHOENIX, Nov. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Every year, millions of Americans share their lives with pets who are more like family than companions. That devotion has inspired one of the most successful and heartfelt fundraising campaigns in the pet industry—America’s Favorite Pet®, organized and powered by Colossal, a professional fundraising organization dedicated to connecting digital engagement with real-world impact.

 

Register now for  America’s Favorite Pet here.

Now entering its 6th year, America’s Favorite Pet is a Colossal competition that has raised more than $22 million to benefit PAWS, a Washington-based nonprofit dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming domestic animals and wildlife alike. Registration for the 2026 competition is officially open through January 12, 2026, inviting cat and dog parents nationwide to enter their cherished companions for the opportunity to win a $10,000 cash prize and be featured on the cover of Modern Cat or Modern Dog magazine.

“From rescuing emaciated dogs in a hoarding situation to providing compassionate care for animals displaced by natural disasters, PAWS has been able to meet the urgent needs of countless cats, dogs, and over 150 species of wildlife with the incredible support of the America’s Favorite Pet competition,” said PAWS CEO Heidi Wills.

America’s Favorite Pet: Not a Local Contest — A National Competition

This annual campaign brings together pet lovers across the country in a spirited show of love and advocacy. America’s Favorite Pet is an online competition where participants enlist the help of their family, friends, and followers to cast online votes for their beloved furry (and some not-so-furry) friends in hopes of earning the grand prize—a feature on the cover of Modern Cat or Modern Dog and $10,000 each.

Participants upload a photo of their legally owned cat or dog (one entry per household), then rally support from their social and local communities. Each voter receives one free vote every 24 hours, with additional vote by donation available via $1/vote—funds that go toward PAWS’ mission of helping animals go home and thrive.

A Movement with Measurable Impact

The structure may be simple, but the outcome is extraordinary. In 2025 alone, America’s Favorite Pet generated over $8 million, fueling life-saving care for thousands of domestic pets and injured wildlife. Those funds also supported the completion of PAWS’ new 25-acre wildlife rehabilitation center in Washington State and expanded educational programs that reached over 4,000 students nationwide.

For pet lovers and brands alike, this initiative offers a chance to blend passion with purpose. It unites advocacy, engagement, and entertainment, proving that digital campaigns can generate tangible, life-changing impact.

Familiar Faces, Fresh Inspiration

Adding to the excitement, celebrity hosts Donnie Wahlberg and Jenny McCarthy, both devoted animal advocates, will once again lend their voices to the campaign. Their enthusiasm and authenticity bring an added layer of warmth to the competition, inspiring participants and newcomers to rally for a cause that transcends species.

America’s Favorite Pet Sponsors

The competition is sponsored by Crown & Paw and Love, Nala.


Crown & Paw
: Turn your pet into royalty with a custom portrait from Crown & Paw! Each masterpiece captures your fur-baby’s unique charm and personality, creating a timeless keepsake you’ll treasure forever.


Love, Nala
: Inspired by Nala Cat, every bite of Love, Nala’s food, treats, and supplements is packed with a perfect blend of nutritious ingredients and love—because that’s what makes your kitty’s world go round.

Registration Now Open for America’s Favorite Pet


Registration for the 2026 America’s Favorite Pet competition
 is open now through January 12, 2026. Cat and dog owners are invited to enter their companions, share their stories, and join a nationwide celebration of love, loyalty, and the power of community.

Whether someone participates, donates, or simply votes, their involvement helps sustain a legacy of compassion that has already changed countless lives, both human and animal.

ABOUT COLOSSAL

Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like America’s Favorite Pet, participants have the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact. Colossal competitions serve as fundraising campaigns for DTCare, a United States 501(c)(3) public charity organization, which then grants donation funds to specified charities at the completion of the competitions. Learn more at colossal.org. Who’s Next?

Media Contact:

Anne-Marie Pritchett
pr@colossal.org


Colossal logo (PRNewsfoto/Colossal Management, LLC)

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SOURCE Colossal

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Yesway Raises Over $630,000 at Fifth Annual Golf & Clays Classic

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Vendor and Supplier Partners Help Drive Record-Breaking Fundraising to Support Local Charities, Veterans, and First Responders

FORT WORTH, Texas, Nov. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Yesway, one of the nation’s fastest-growing convenience store chains, announced it raised more than $630,000 during its Fifth Annual Golf & Clays Classic Charitable Fundraising Tournament, held September 22–23, 2025, at The Golf Clubs at The Tribute and Elm Fork Shooting Sports in Dallas, Texas.

Since its inception, the event has generated nearly $3 million to support nonprofit organizations that make a meaningful difference in the communities where Yesway operates. This year’s proceeds will benefit Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit serving military families, as well as several local charities, civic organizations, and first responders across the company’s operating areas. These include police and fire departments in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, as well as local programs such as Ruidoso Strong, HELP Inc., the D.A.R.E. Program of Otero County, and the Christian Outdoor Alliance.

“The Golf & Clays Classic has become more than a fundraiser—it is a celebration of partnership, generosity, and shared purpose,” said Tom Trkla, Yesway’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We have raised nearly $3 million since launching the event in 2021, making a tangible difference for veterans, families, and communities across our footprint. On behalf of the Yesway and Allsup’s family, we thank our partners for their continued belief in our mission and their support.”

“Yesway is deeply committed to giving back to the communities we call home,” added Ray Harrison, Yesway’s Chief Marketing and Merchandising Officer. “This event brings together our team, vendor partners, and industry friends to create lasting impact. Our vendor and supplier partners are the true champions behind its success—their generosity and enthusiasm make it all possible.”

Top-tier sponsors of Yesway’s 2025 Golf & Clays Classic include: 

Anheuser-Busch • BeatBox Beverages • BIC Consumer Products • Brightstar Lottery • Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages • D&H United Fueling Solutions • Delek • Dover Fueling Solutions • Freedom Electronics • GSP Retail • Heineken • Hensley Beverage Company • JTI Liggett • Juul Labs • Keurig Dr Pepper • L&F Distributors • Lone Star Tank Management • LSI Lighting / Rice Christ, Inc. • Mars Wrigley • Molson Coors • Monster Energy • Old Tapper • PSI Powered by Brinks • PepsiCo • Red Bull North America • Retail Power Services • Reynolds Marketing Services Co. • Smokey Mountain Chew Inc. • Swedish Match • TCM • The Magnum Ice Cream Company • Valero • White Tucker Company. 

More than 88 sponsors and donors also contributed to the event’s outstanding success.

“Yesway’s mission has always been to be more than just a convenience store operator,” Harrison said. “We strive to be a positive force—supporting local heroes, families, and organizations that make a real difference. Events like this exemplify the generosity and collaboration that define the Yesway family.”

To locate your nearest Yesway or Allsup’s store, visit Yesway.com/locations or Allsups.com/allsups-locations/.


Editor note:

 Contact Erin Vadala, Warner Communications; 617-669-1560;

erin@warnerpr.com

 to arrange interviews. High-resolution images and graphics are available upon request.


About Yesway:

Established in 2015 and headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, Yesway is an award-winning convenience store operator with 447 stores across nine states in the Midwest and Southwest. Yesway is renowned for its iconic food service offerings, diverse grocery selections, and private-label products, including the famous Allsup’s deep-fried burrito. Through strategic acquisitions, the 85 new stores it has developed and opened in the past several years, and its steadfast commitment to customer satisfaction and community engagement, Yesway continues to cement its position as one of the leading convenience retailers in the United States. For more information, visit

Yesway.com

.


Yesway is one of the fastest-growing convenience store operators in the U.S. Established in 2015, Yesway is a multi-branded platform headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, operating 447 stores across Texas, New Mexico, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Wyoming, Oklahoma, and Nebraska. Yesway operates its portfolio primarily under two successful brands, Yesway and Allsup's, with sites that are differentiated through a leading foodservice offering – featuring Allsup's famous deep-fried burrito – and a wide variety of high-quality grocery items and private-label products. (PRNewsfoto/Yesway)

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SOURCE Yesway

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Clark Foundation Invests $51.7M to Support Engineering Scholarships, Programming

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Latest Series of Commitments Adds to Legacy of Giving at UMD

COLLEGE PARK, Md., Nov. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The University of Maryland has received $51.7 million in new philanthropic investments from its most generous benefactor, the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation, to dramatically expand scholarships for promising engineering students and deepen academic collaborations with a network of other top engineering schools.


University of Maryland, College Park Logo. (PRNewsFoto/University of Maryland)

The support, which also includes funds for a unique Philanthropy Challenge Fund and to expand students’ professional development opportunities, is the latest example of the Foundation’s transformational giving as it ceases operations in December. In total, with the new commitments, the Clark family, Clark Enterprises and Clark Foundation have contributed over $364 million to UMD.

“We know that our partners at Maryland will use the investments to take the university to new heights of scholarship, innovation, exploration and excellence,” said Courtney Clark Pastrick, chair of the Clark Foundation’s board and daughter of A. James and Alice B. Clark. “They’ve made our contributions truly transformative and played a unique role in honoring the legacy of my dad.”

The Foundation has given more than $125 million to Forward: The University of Maryland Campaign for the Fearless, an effort officially launched this week to raise a record $2.5 billion. Thanks in part to this investment, as well as landmark gifts from donors such as civil engineering alum Stanley R. Zupnik ’59, mathematics Professor Emeritus Michael and the late Eugenia Brin and the Sergey Brin Family Foundation, cell biology and molecular genetics Professor Anne Simon and sports marketing pioneer Steve Schanwald ’77, the campaign has brought in $943 million to date.

“It’s impossible to imagine the University of Maryland, or the landscape of this region, without the Clarks—both the generosity of the Clark family and the Clark Foundation, and the leadership and vision of A. James Clark himself, who was truly one of the great builders and philanthropists of our time,” said UMD President Darryll J. Pines. “These latest investments further strengthen the foundation of educational excellence they have helped construct.”

Clark got his start as a civil engineering student at UMD, hitchhiking to class from his home in Bethesda, Md., and crediting a state scholarship with allowing him to afford his education. After graduating in 1950, he was hired as a field engineer by the George Hyman Construction Co., working his way up over the next several decades to grow it into Clark Construction, one of the largest firms of its kind in the nation. The company’s massive footprint across the DMV includes L’Enfant Plaza, Nationals Park and dozens of buildings on the UMD campus.

Remembering his roots, Clark made a $15 million donation to his alma mater in 1994 to support undergraduate engineering education through scholarships, career services and other programs. In recognition of this generosity, the A. James Clark School of Engineering was named in his honor.

Following his 2015 passing, the Clark Foundation committed a historic $219.5 million to UMD in 2017 through the Building Together investment, which funded a sweeping array of need-based scholarships, graduate fellowships, endowed faculty chairs in the Clark School and beyond, and capital projects, including the construction of the E.A. Fernandez IDEA Factory and Stanley R. Zupnik Hall. The gift also established the A. James Clark Scholars Program, which combines training in engineering, business, leadership and community service, as well as the Clark Challenge for the Maryland Promise Program, a campuswide matching program that has raised $100 million for new need-based scholarships to students across majors.

In 2023, a new $20.6 million investment established the Clark School as the permanent home of the Clark Scholars Program Network (CSPN), which supports talented students with financial need at 11 top engineering schools.

“A. James Clark never lost a connection to his local community: as he achieved success, he devoted himself to the success of others and invested his own resources to help them reach their dreams,” said Clark School Dean Samuel Graham. “His investments have transformed people’s lives, our school and university, and higher education broadly. His legacy is a timeless reminder to innovate and devote energy to the place we call home.”

This year’s series of commitments includes $25 million for Clark Legacy Endowed Scholarships, which provide merit- and need-based scholarships for Clark School undergraduates. The Clark Opportunity Transfer Scholars Program, supporting high-achieving engineering students who come to UMD from Maryland community colleges, also received supplementary funding for scholarships.

Additionally, the Foundation’s investment will bolster the endowed fund for the university’s Clark Scholars Program, supporting an additional staff member and covering the costs for its students to attend CSPN-sponsored networking events. One new fund will specifically support Clark Scholars’ professional development efforts and any Clark School student experiencing a financial emergency; another will launch the Clark Scholars Philanthropy Challenge, where program members will annually research local nonprofits and select one as an award recipient, with the goal of learning about philanthropy, cultivating a charitable spirit and strengthening connections with the community.

“The Foundation’s investments have a tremendous impact on our students,” said Damien J. Franze, associate director for the Clark Foundation Scholarship Programs and director of UMD’s Clark Scholars Program. “The scholarship and the program afford our Clark Scholars the opportunity to be able to focus on their education, graduate and continue to exemplify Mr. Clark’s legacy—particularly his values of integrity, leadership, hard work, engineering excellence and service.”

Further funding will support new and existing CSPN programming. Since the Foundation’s donation established the network, it has hosted multi-university summits, launched an alumni network with more than 400 members among partner institutions and developed an alternative spring break program, all of which will benefit from new gift funding.

“To know that the Foundation believed in us enough to do this work, it’s an honor,” said Joakina Stone, CSPN director. “We want to continue carrying that torch in the best possible way.”

The Clark Foundation has also entrusted UMD with maintaining its legacy website and a new, unique space on the ground floor of Zupnik Hall, the Clark Foundation Legacy Space; it will be the home of the CSPN team with meeting rooms, lounges and an interactive exhibit showcasing the Foundation’s lasting impact. The building will also house the department of civil and environmental engineering, mechanical engineering and Quantum Technology Center labs, as well as new spaces for engineering student organizations and interdisciplinary research that addresses the world’s grand challenges.

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/clark-foundation-invests-51-7m-to-support-engineering-scholarships-programming-302604232.html

SOURCE University of Maryland

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The CMO Whisperer Podcast: Subaru’s Alan Bethke and ASPCA’s Matt Bershadker on Authenticity in Brand Partnerships

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In the October 24, 2025 episode of “The CMO Whisperer,” podcast host Steve Olenski reconnects with Alan Bethke, SVP of Marketing at Subaru of America, Inc., for a compelling “round two” interview which builds upon their previous talk about the “Love” advertising campaign—and welcomes Matt Bershadker, President and CEO of the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) for a powerful conversation about authenticity in marketing and meaningful corporate partnerships.

Their discussion touches on subjects ranging from how to connect with the right partners, how Subaru’s values shape our corporate DNA, the importance of customer service and tracking the digital customer journey, and of course how to help support pet adoptions for the animals most in need.

The wide-ranging interview is sure to make listeners think and smile, and even offers a glimpse into the future of Subaru marketing.

The CMO Whisperer Podcast, hosted by former Forbes writer Steve Olenski, is dedicated to those who keep it real in and out of the world of marketing.

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Five Educators Selected as STEM Grant Recipients by the Environmental Education Initiative

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., November 4, 2025 /3BL/ – The Environmental Education Initiative today announced the five 2025-2026 recipients of The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) Greening STEM Grant. The Environmental Education Initiative by Discovery Education with NEEF and other partners is a first-of-its-kind program designed to engage students in environmental science, empower them to make informed decisions for healthy environments, and promote civic engagement. Discovery Education is the maker of essential PreK-12 learning solutions used in classrooms around the world.

The Greening STEM Grants support programs that infuse environmental science and resources into school curriculum focused on student-directed investigations of relevant topics of research, local environmental issues, or issues impacting local public lands.

“Through these grants, we seek to challenge formal and nonformal educators to design and deliver STEM programming that engages youth in place-based learning,” said Robert Sendrey, program director for environmental education at NEEF. “We also hope to empower educators to build a culture that values using the environment as a context for improving student learning and achievement.”

Projects that actively involved students in citizen/community science or environmental monitoring during the 2025–2026 school year were especially highlighted, reflecting the value of experiential, place-based STEM education. The following projects have been selected to receive up to $7,000 each in STEM grant funding:

Growing Green
Fairfield County School District in Winnsboro, South Carolina

The “Growing Green” project is a student-led greenhouse initiative in Winnsboro, South Carolina, focused on hands-on environmental STEM learning for Grades 5-6. The project involves 80 students and aims to enhance 21st-century skills through immersive learning of earth and life sciences. Instructional strategies integrate Greening STEM methods, including project-based and community-based approaches. Project partners include Fairfield Career and Technology Center, Sandhill Research and Education Center, and various other stakeholders.

Exploring Earth & Beyond: Connecting Local Learning to the Cosmos
Fairfield County School District in Winnsboro, South Carolina

During this interdisciplinary project for Grades 5-6, approximately 100 students will explore concepts related to Earth’s place in the universe, light and shadows, and gravitational force through place-based investigations, moon phase journals, digital and 3D scale model building, and interactive science labs using real data. The project will culminate with a field trip to the South Carolina State Museum Planetarium in Columbia, South Carolina, where students will participate in a full-dome immersive planetarium show and interact with museum exhibits that reinforce classroom learning. Partners include the South Carolina State Museum Planetarium, local STEM professionals, and community members.

School Garden
R.E. Davis College Preparatory Academy in Sumter, South Carolina

This project involves a school garden initiative that integrates STEM classes and an after-school gardening club. The anticipated impact includes teaching over 20 students gardening skills in small spaces. Instructional strategies involve student involvement, community support, and curriculum integration, including project-based learning and the use of a Garden STEM science curriculum. Local partners like the Clemson University Cooperative Extension and Sumter County Master Gardeners Association will support gardening projects and educational activities. Additionally, the project will task students with designing robots that could help improve classroom learning while enhancing productivity in the school garden.

Bengal Biodiesel
Blythewood High School, Richland School District Two in Blythewood, South Carolina

The Bengal Biodiesel program at Blythewood High School recycles cooking oil into biodiesel for school transport and produces hand soap from glycerin waste. Funding for this project will help expand the existing biodiesel program while partnering with organizations for student learning experiences and training students to become leaders in sustainability. Approximately 40 students will gain marketable skills and over 100 hours of hands-on experience through the program, which involves producing biodiesel for school buses. The program has partnered with organizations such as the Palmetto Clean Fuels Coalition, South Carolina Energy Office, and Green Energy Biofuel to provide internships, industry-standard procedures, and audits to enhance the student experience.

Free Home Green Team
Free Home Elementary School in Canton, Georgia

The “Free Home Green Team” project at Free Home Elementary School aims to implement a Greening STEM project involving school-wide recycling and STEM activities to reduce their carbon footprint, expand existing STEM programs, and engage 300 students in real-time environmental impact awareness. The project includes instructional strategies focusing on real-world conservation, data collection, and hands-on experiences with the school’s STEM Cart, which has developmentally appropriate STEM games and activity kits for each grade level. Project partners include Free Home Elementary’s Green School Coordinator—who is responsible for showing students which materials are acceptable to recycle at bins located around campus—and the local PTA, which will help achieve project goals of reducing plastic use, lowering energy costs, and increasing community engagement.

The funding recipients were selected from among the members of the Discovery Educator Network, or DEN. A global community of education professionals, the DEN connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable idea sharing and inspiration. This year, the DEN is celebrating 20 years of connecting educators to their most valuable resource: each other.

“Research shows that students thrive when classroom lessons are engaging and connected to the broader world. These real-world connections not only strengthen critical thinking but also boost academic achievement. We’re proud to celebrate each of the STEM Grant recipients for their innovative work in expanding the learning beyond the classroom,” said Catherine Dunlop, Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships at Discovery Education. “Together with NEEF, we’re excited to support these transformative projects and watch them come to life.”

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

To access Environmental Education Initiative resources, visit environmentaleducationinitiative.discoveryeducation.com. Users of Discovery Education Experience can find these resources on the Environmental Education Initiative channel.

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About NEEF
The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) is the nation’s leading organization in lifelong environmental learning, creating opportunities for people to experience and learn about the environment in ways that improve their lives and the health of the planet. Congressionally chartered in 1990, NEEF is a non-partisan, non-advocacy organization working to make the environment more accessible, relevant, and connected to people’s daily lives.

Learn more at NEEFusa.org—or follow NEEF on Facebook (Facebook.com/NEEFusa) and on Twitter at @NEEFusa.

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

Contacts
Amy Skalmusky
National Environmental Education Foundation
Email: askalmusky@neefusa.org

Grace Maliska
Discovery Education
Email: gmaliska@discoveryed.com

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