Tag: 3BL

In our manufacturing plant in San José, Costa Rica, a quiet shift in best practices is taking place — one that speaks to the power of inclusion in the workplace. At the center of this transformation are Jorge Hernãndez, a packaging plant auxiliary with a hearing disability, and his coworkers and management team committed to ensuring his full participation.

For Jorge, navigating the fast-paced environment of the manufacturing floor presented unique challenges. Despite 12 years of skilled experience working at Clorox, the communication barrier occasionally left him feeling isolated.

Recognizing the need for change, members of the plant’s management team saw an opportunity to bring more inclusive practices to their everyday operations. They understood that true success lies not only in the products they manufacture but in the strength of their workforce. And so, they made the decision to invest in ways that would make their people feel more empowered.

The first step was clear: provide sign language training for Jorge’s coworkers. What started four years ago as brief, informal training for teammates on Costa Rican Sign Language has evolved into a more formal training program with Enseñas Costa Rica, an organization that specializes in corporate education for communicating with the deaf community. Inspired by Clorox’s renewed commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and allyship, or IDEA, this initiative had a powerful impact throughout the plant. Teammates embraced the opportunity to learn sign language, not just as a means of communication but as a tool for fostering understanding and connection with each other. The plant also enlisted the services of a sign language interpreter for large team meetings, on-the-job training sessions, performance evaluations and company social activities.

“We saw IDEA as a call to action to embrace the unique perspectives and needs of all our teammates, regardless of disability, gender, or age. Making sign language more accessible to our workforce is one way we’re fostering an environment where all voices are heard, and everyone can thrive.”

Mauricio Guerrero Canet, Plant Manager

For Jorge, the transformation was profound. Communication barriers that once seemed insurmountable were replaced by a sense of belonging.

“I feel very proud to work for Clorox. My teammates’ willingness to learn sign language has made me feel supported, accepted and better able to do my job.”

Jorge Hernãndez, Packaging Plant Auxiliary

The journey of our San José plant toward greater day-to-day inclusion reflects the impact that empathy can have in our workplaces and communities. By championing the unique abilities of every individual, we not only enrich the lives of those around us but pave the way for a brighter future for all.

O-I completes full allocation of $690 Million due 2031, issued by Owens-Brockway Glass Container, Inc.O-I completes full allocation of €600 Million due in 2028, issued by O-I European Group B.V.Allocations mark another significant step forward in company climate-change strategy

PERRYSBURG, Ohio, May 16, 2024 /3BL/ – O-I Glass, Inc. (“O-I Glass”, “O-I” or the “Company”) announced that the Company has completed full allocation of the proceeds from its second round of Green Bond offerings to advance the company’s climate-change strategy. In May of 2023, Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc., and OI European Group B.V. launched private Green Bond offerings of $690 million and €600 million, respectively.

The Green Bond proceeds were spent on Eligible Green Projects as defined in O-I’s Green Financing Framework (the “Framework”), developed based on the Green Bond Principles and the Green Loan Principles.

The Company engaged Sustainalytics to provide a second-party opinion, which noted the Framework’s outlined Eligible Green Projects are “expected to deliver positive environmental impact” and are “credible from a transition perspective.”

The Green Bond proceed expenditures enriched O-I’s climate-change strategy through the following Eligible Green Projects: renewable energy reliance, energy efficiency, sustainable practices in water and wastewater management, environmentally friendly production technologies and processes, circular economy, and environmentally friendly adapted products.

Additional details of the Company’s allocation are provided in the above tables.

“The road to sustainability, for O-I, is paved by innovation” said Meena Dafesh, Vice President, Treasurer for O-I. “We are continuously working across our entire ecosystem of partners to advance the sustainability of our products and processes. Through the use of Green Bond proceeds, and other visionary approaches, O-I is making tangible progress toward our ambitious sustainability goals and helping our customers to advance in their aspirations as well.”

The commitment to cullet (recycled glass) investment underscores the company’s strides toward a sustainable future by immediately reducing carbon emissions, lowering energy consumption, and preserving natural resources. With the amount of cullet designated for this initiative, the company has achieved significant conservation efforts including, approximately:

5.7 million metric tons of CO2;4.7 million MwH of energy;6.3 million tons of silica sand;2.0 million tons of soda ash; and1.8 million tons of limestone and dolomite

These sustainable savings coming from cullet utilization are further enhanced by additional eco-friendly investments made by the company that are designated to that initiative, which include:

MAGMA technology, which is designed for flexible, modular glass production and can reduce the environmental footprint of glass production. Facilities built for MAGMA will feature a smaller melter and will be constructed using more sustainable methods and materials. MAGMA technology will enable advanced technologies, including light-weighting potential, on-off capability, and can include feed-forward and feed-back control loops to promote premium quality glass.Advances in the O-I Zipaquirá Colombian plant are set to improve energy efficiency, lowering CO2 emissions by up to 15% per ton produced on the new furnace. In addition to the decarbonization impacts, the new technologies also reduce NOX emissions by up to 50 % compared to a traditional air fuel-fired furnace and allow for higher usage of recycled glass.A Gas Oxy Advanced Technology (GOAT) furnace in O-I’s Gironcourt France plant, which uses oxygen to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 20% and NOX emissions by up to 60%.The R&D team at O-I developed the “Estampe” bottle in France to leverage greater recycled content, up to 80% or more on average – well above the current European average of 50% recycled content. The innovative Estampe bottle strengthens the overall sustainability with a reduced carbon footprint – about 25% less carbon emissions compared to conventional 500g wine bottles.

Management’s assertions on the allocation of an amount equal to net proceeds to qualifying Eligible Green Projects as well as the examination reports of our independent accountants are available on the O-I website, along with information on O-I’s overall sustainability agenda.

In November 2019, O-I became the first U.S. high yield industrial green bond issuer with the company’s inaugural green bond issuance, and O-I remains committed to supporting our climate-change strategy through sustainable financings. To learn more about O-I’s Green Financing Framework, offerings, and allocation of net proceeds to qualifying eligible green projects, visit: http://o-i.com/sustainability

IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THIS INFORMATION 

Perceptions of the sustainability and “green” nature of activities and projects are subject to varying definitions, expectations, and regulations, which continue to evolve. Certain of these decisions involve notable discretion and, as such, we cannot guarantee that the activities discussed above align to any particular stakeholder’s preferences or any specific taxonomy regarding sustainable or green activities. Moreover, our Green Financing Framework, the allocation of funds to Eligible Green Projects referenced in this announcement, and related aspects of our climate-change strategy are subject to certain important disclaimers, qualifiers, and risks, including those included in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, that should be reviewed in concert with any assessment of the characterization of our activities hereunder.

ABOUT O-I GLASS 

At O-I Glass, Inc. (NYSE: OI), we love glass, and we are proud to be one of the leading producers of glass bottles and jars around the globe. Glass is not only beautiful, it is also pure, healthy, and completely recyclable, making it the most sustainable rigid packaging material. Headquartered in Perrysburg, Ohio (USA), O-I is the preferred partner for many of the world’s leading food and beverage brands. We innovate in line with customers’ needs to create iconic packaging that builds brands around the world. Led by our diverse team of approximately 23,000 people across 68 plants in 19 countries, O-I achieved revenues of $7.1 billion in 2023. Learn more about us:  
o-i.com / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / LinkedIn

contact:
JIM WOODS
Corporate Affairs
James.Woods@o-i.com

KPMG published the Net Zero Readiness Index in 2021,1 a few weeks before the COP26 UN climate change conference in Glasgow. The event resulted in 153 countries putting forward new emissions targets for 2030 and more than 90 percent of world economic output and global emissions being covered by net zero agreements. Attempts to phase out the use of coal, the single biggest contributor to climate change, failed with weaker language to ‘phase down’ its use in the final agreement. COP26’s chairman Alok Sharma said that the conference had kept alive the hope of keeping global temperature increases within 1.5 degrees Celsius this century but added “its pulse is weak.”

The last two years have seen many countries taking steps in the right direction towards net zero, even if most have a long way to go. Some have announced significant new policies to support decarbonization, including the REPowerEU in Europe. Emissions trading schemes are expanding in several countries and the EU is phasing in its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, an idea that other countries look likely to adopt. The bloc is also introducing regulations to block the import of products linked to deforestation, showing how some jurisdictions plan to go further faster to meet net zero pledges.

Next year will see companies in many countries starting to report on their climate change risks and plans.

Renewable energy production continues to expand rapidly around the world, investment is rising fast and there are indications that it is becoming harder to raise funding for some fossil fuel projects. Renewable production and the reshaped electricity grids it requires will inevitably impact on some local environments, their biodiversity and communities. We are going to see more conflicts between the local and the global, but if we want to reach net zero while keeping the lights on, we have to build new power infrastructure somewhere.

These issues are among those discussed in this Net Zero Readiness Report. It explores the readiness of 24 countries based on interviews with local KPMG specialists. This report also examines global trends in sectors that are key to tackling climate change: the economy, electricity, transport, manufacturing, buildings, infrastructure, oil and gas, agriculture and the blue economy.

Across these countries and sectors we can see plenty of examples of progress on decarbonization including growth in electric vehicle sales, although from a low level in most countries. On behalf of all the KPMG specialists involved, we hope this report can contribute to helping organizations quicken their pace on the long walk towards net zero.

Click here to download the full Net Zero Readiness Report 2023.

Dow expands Protect the Climate targets to include climate adaptation benchmarks focused on water and natureThis reflects Dow’s holistic approach to climate protection, considering both climate change mitigation and adaptation

MIDLAND, Mich., May 16, 2024 /3BL/ – Dow (NYSE: DOW) today announced it will expand its Protect the Climate targets by setting distinct milestones for climate change mitigation that focus on water and nature conservation. These targets include:

By 2030, Dow will implement a robust land management strategy, its top 20 water-dependent sites will have water stewardship plans, and 10 of those sites will be water-resilient.By 2035, all Dow sites will have water stewardship plans.By 2050, Dow will partner to conserve 50,000 acres of habitat and its top 20 water-dependent sites will be water-resilient.

As a science-based company, Dow understands the impact that rapidly changing climate and socio-economic conditions are having on water and nature. The new Water & Nature strategy is designed to support resiliency for its sites and surrounding natural ecosystems to be able to withstand unpredictable conditions, such as drought and flooding.

Dow is uniquely positioned to apply its materials science expertise and advanced engineering capabilities for the benefit of water resiliency and healthy ecosystems. Its new strategy focuses on three main areas:

Sustainably managing site footprint, supporting business continuity through world-class water stewardship and positively impacting habitat through smart land management;Engaging the entire supply chain, working to reduce the demand and impact on water and nature ecosystems; andInnovating with customers and value chain partners, deploying research and development (R&D) for products and solutions that are better for water and nature.

“To deliver on Dow’s purpose—a sustainable future for all—we must maintain a balanced relationship with water and nature,” said Jim Fitterling, Dow’s chair and chief executive officer. “Dow’s holistic, next-generation Water & Nature strategy is designed to support water resilience for our sites and their surrounding communities, conserve habitat in key ecosystems, and positively impact nature across the supply chain as we continue to drive business growth.”

Dow primarily uses water to manage cooling processes, with more than 95% of water withdrawn returned to the environment. Water and nature are also connected to Dow’s Decarbonize & Grow strategy, as some decarbonization technologies and bio-based resources present emerging dependencies on natural ecosystems.

To advance water resilience and healthy ecosystems, Dow will work together with water basin stakeholders and conservation organizations to support consistent quality and access, adequate supply, and infrastructure that is prepared for fluctuating conditions. The new strategy reflects the complexity of water and nature stewardship by considering Dow’s operations and its supply chain, as well as water basin and land dynamics.

“This new Water & Nature strategy builds upon decades of work at Dow to conserve healthy ecosystems. Considering the rapidly changing conditions, we conducted a detailed evaluation of our strategies and commitments and determined we needed to take this next step on our journey,” said Andre Argenton, Dow’s chief sustainability officer and vice president of Environment, Health & Safety. “For the sake of our planet, we want to be a pacesetter for our industry in decarbonization, water stewardship and healthy ecosystems.”

Dow is committed to reporting progress on these targets with voluntary disclosures under the Taskforce for Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) beginning with the 2025 reporting year. The Company will also continue to report withdrawal, consumption and intensity as part of its annual INtersections progress report.

About Dow 
Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employ approximately 35,900 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $45 billion in 2023. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visiting www.dow.com.

For further information, please contact:

Sarah Young 
Phone: +1 989-638-6871 
syoung3@dow.com

X: https://twitter.com/DowNewsroom 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dow/ 
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/dow-chemical 
Instagram: http://instagram.com/dow_official

Cautionary Statement about Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements often address expected future business and financial performance, financial condition, and other matters, and often contain words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “opportunity,” “outlook,” “plan,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “strategy,” “target,” “will,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” “would” and similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words or phrases.

Forward-looking statements are based on current assumptions and expectations of future events that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that are beyond Dow’s control, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements and speak only as of the date the statements were made. These factors include, but are not limited to: sales of Dow’s products; Dow’s expenses, future revenues and profitability; any global and regional economic impacts of a pandemic or other public health-related risks and events on Dow’s business; any sanctions, export restrictions, supply chain disruptions or increased economic uncertainty related to the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East; capital requirements and need for and availability of financing; unexpected barriers in the development of technology, including with respect to Dow’s contemplated capital and operating projects; Dow’s ability to realize its commitment to carbon neutrality on the contemplated timeframe, including the completion and success of its integrated ethylene cracker and derivatives facility in Alberta, Canada; size of the markets for Dow’s products and services and ability to compete in such markets; failure to develop and market new products and optimally manage product life cycles; the rate and degree of market acceptance of Dow’s products; significant litigation and environmental matters and related contingencies and unexpected expenses; the success of competing technologies that are or may become available; the ability to protect Dow’s intellectual property in the United States and abroad; developments related to contemplated restructuring activities and proposed divestitures or acquisitions such as workforce reduction, manufacturing facility and/or asset closure and related exit and disposal activities, and the benefits and costs associated with each of the foregoing; fluctuations in energy and raw material prices; management of process safety and product stewardship; changes in relationships with Dow’s significant customers and suppliers; changes in public sentiment and political leadership; increased concerns about plastics in the environment and lack of a circular economy for plastics at scale; changes in consumer preferences and demand; changes in laws and regulations, political conditions or industry development; global economic and capital markets conditions, such as inflation, market uncertainty, interest and currency exchange rates, and equity and commodity prices; business or supply disruptions; security threats, such as acts of sabotage, terrorism or war, including the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East; weather events and natural disasters; disruptions in Dow’s information technology networks and systems, including the impact of cyberattacks; and risks related to Dow’s separation from DowDuPont Inc. such as Dow’s obligation to indemnify DuPont de Nemours, Inc. and/or Corteva, Inc. for certain liabilities.

Where, in any forward-looking statement, an expectation or belief as to future results or events is expressed, such expectation or belief is based on the current plans and expectations of management and expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. A detailed discussion of principal risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements is included in the section titled “Risk Factors” contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the Company’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These are not the only risks and uncertainties that Dow faces. There may be other risks and uncertainties that Dow is unable to identify at this time or that Dow does not currently expect to have a material impact on its business. If any of those risks or uncertainties develops into an actual event, it could have a material adverse effect on Dow’s business. Dow Inc. and The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries assume no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements whether because of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities and other applicable laws.

SOURCE The Dow Chemical Company

DALLAS, May 16, 2024 /3BL/ – Mary Kay Inc., a corporate leader in global sustainability, is strengthening its roots in Lewisville. On May 10, the company partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation and Keep Lewisville Beautiful to host a tree planting event at Railroad Park to celebrate Mother Nature and Mother’s Day.

“Through partnerships with organizations like the Arbor Day Foundation, Mary Kay is making positive environmental impact in ecosystems where we operate around the world,” said Ryan Rogers, CEO of Mary Kay, Inc., and grandson of Mary Kay Ash. “But change starts in your own backyard. We enjoyed ‘sprucing’ up the community by planting trees that will benefit local families for generations to come.”

Mary Kay volunteers planted 60 native trees along the trails and waterways in Railroad Park, symbolizing the company’s 60th anniversary of enriching the lives of women and their families worldwide and protecting the planet. The park is four miles from Mary Kay’s state-of-the art Richard R. Rogers (R3) Manufacturing/R&D Center. Trees planted at this location directly impact Lewisville communities by providing much-needed shade in community spaces, enhancing the beautification of recreational areas, and providing important ecosystem benefits in the Trinity River watershed.

“We are thrilled to see Mary Kay contribute to the tree canopy of Lewisville,” said TJ Gilmore, Mayor of Lewisville. “This initiative is not only a breath of fresh air for our city but a testament to the flourishing partnership between our community and a corporation that continuously gives back. Together, we’re making Lewisville a better place to live and work.”

Mary Kay’s partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation stretches back more than 16 years—and in that time, the company has helped plant 1.4 million trees around the world. Arbor Day Foundation is the world’s largest membership nonprofit dedicated to planting trees.

“The Arbor Day Foundation is dedicated to helping our local planting partners unlock the transformative power of trees in their community,” said Dan Lambe, Chief Executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees clean our air, cool our cities, and improve the lives of the people around them. We’re happy to partner again with Mary Kay and Keep Lewisville Beautiful to maximize the impact of the urban canopy and inspire more people to engage with nature in a meaningful way.”

Keep Lewisville Beautiful is a local environmental nonprofit that partners with organizations to plant trees and provide residents opportunities to care for Lewisville’s tree canopy on public lands.

“Tree planting is an investment in our community’s future”, said Amy Wells, Executive Director of Keep Lewisville Beautiful. “These trees will help create shade for families visiting Railroad Park, provide habitat to local wildlife, and will provide a multitude of ecological benefits for our local environment. Keep Lewisville Beautiful is excited to partner with Mary Kay and the Arbor Day Foundation to increase Lewisville’s tree canopy and make a visible difference in our community with Mary Kay volunteers. Their donation to our community and KLB will go a long way towards keeping Lewisville beautiful.”

Following the planting, the Lewisville Parks Department is committed to long-term maintenance and upkeep of the trees with supplemental watering, pruning, and care.

Did you know: 

R3 Manufacturing/R&D Center in Lewisville is named in honor of Mary Kay Inc.’s cofounder and Mary Kay Ash’s son, Richard R. Rogers.Built on 26 acres of land, R3 features state-of-the-art R&D laboratories and cutting-edge manufacturing technology.57% of products manufactured at R3 are exported to Mary Kay’s international markets.R3 production capacity is up to 1.1. million products per day. The facility boasts 20 product-packaging lines and 21 processing vessels and mixing tanks.R3 is LEED Building Design and Construction Silver-Certified facility.

About Mary Kay

Then. Now. Always. One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty brand in Texas in 1963 with one goal: to enrich women’s lives. That dream has blossomed into a global company with millions of independent sales force members in more than 35 countries. For 60 years, the Mary Kay opportunity has empowered women to define their own futures through education, mentorship, advocacy, and innovation. Mary Kay is dedicated to investing in the science behind beauty and manufacturing cutting-edge skincare, color cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and fragrances. Mary Kay believes in preserving our planet for future generations, protecting women impacted by cancer and domestic abuse, and encouraging youth to follow their dreams. Learn more at marykayglobal.com, find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or follow us on Twitter.

About the Arbor Day Foundation

Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation is the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees. Together with our partners, we have helped plant more than 500 million trees in neighborhoods, communities, cities, and forests throughout the world. Our vision is to lead toward a world where trees are used to solve issues critical to survival. Through our members, partners and programs, the Arbor Day Foundation inspires people across the globe to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information is available at arborday.org.

About Keep Lewisville Beautiful 

Keep Lewisville Beautiful (KLB) is a non-profit and award-winning affiliate of Keep America Beautiful and Keep Texas Beautiful. KLB’s mission is to “engage the citizens of Lewisville through service and education to enhance their community environment”. Our vision is to partner with the community to promote environmental quality, making Lewisville the best place to live, work, and play. Annually, KLB volunteers contribute over 10,000 volunteer hours towards litter abatement, environmental education, and beautification programs, and remove 25+ TONS of trash from community green spaces and waterways. Learn more at keeplewisvillebeautiful.org.

May 16, 2024 /3BL/ – Refocusing its strategy to increase purchasing from diverse and sustainable suppliers, CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA insurer, has launched a redesigned supplier program that adds sustainability goals while strengthening supplier diversity targets. 

The expanded Diverse & Sustainable Supplier Program grows CSAA’s existing supplier diversity practices to increase the company’s engagement with businesses owned by people of color, veterans, women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and persons with disabilities, as well as certified small businesses. The program also now aims to increase its work with suppliers that share in the company’s goal to reduce its impact on the planet. 

Suppliers that would like to learn more about the program or explore becoming a CSAA diverse and sustainable supplier can reach out to supplier.diversity@csaa.com. 

“Diverse and sustainable supplier programming adds economic value,” said Mike Zukerman, CSAA’s interim president and chief executive officer. “Diverse businesses are typically small to mid-sized companies that directly impact the economic vitality of communities. Further, climate change is impacting our customers and employees, so we want to support companies that share our goal of protecting the environment.” 

CSAA has partnered with nationally recognized supplier diversity and sustainability organizations to strengthen its connections in the supplier diversity community and further its reach on its climate journey: 
 

The National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)The Western Regional Minority Supplier Development Council (WRMSDC), a National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) affiliateThe Women’s Business Enterprise National Center (WBENC)Business Council on Climate Change (BC3) 
 

“CSAA is a leader in the insurance space, and our diverse employees, customers, and suppliers have high expectations of our brand,” said Shondra Watson-Wilson, who joined CSAA last year to lead the company’s Diverse & Sustainable Supplier Program. “We intend to serve as an advocate and leader of equitable purchases and contribute an even greater impact on society, our customers and employees, and the communities we serve.” 

Wilson has nearly 20 years of experience leading organizational change and maximizing the value of an organization’s diversity and inclusion initiatives. Watson-Wilson and CSAA are laser-focused on retaining diverse and sustainable suppliers, partnering with business service organizations and embedding supplier diversity and sustainability into procurement. 

CSAA is committed to promoting and implementing diverse and sustainable practices beyond just business decisions, embedding its strategy internally and externally. For more information, reach out to supplier.diversity@csaa.com. 

About CSAA Insurance Group 
CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA Insurer, offers automobile, homeowners and other personal lines of insurance to AAA Members through AAA clubs in 23 states and the District of Columbia. Founded in 1914, the company has been rated “A” or better by AM Best for more than 90 years and is one of the top personal lines property casualty insurance groups in the United States, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The company has been repeatedly named one of the 50 most community-minded companies in America by Points of Light. More information is available at http://csaa-insurance.aaa.com and on social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Tik Tok, Threads and YouTube).

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HERSHEY, Pa., May 16, 2024 /3BL/ – The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) has been named a 2024 honoree of The Civic 50, a recognition of the top community-minded companies in the United States according to an annual survey by Points of Light, the world’s largest nonprofit dedicated to accelerating people-powered change. Hershey was also named the Consumer Staples leader for the third year in a row and received the Volunteer Leader Award for having the leading volunteer culture and embracing volunteerism as a priority for civic engagement.

“Hershey is committed to business excellence, long-term resilience and making a positive impact for the planet and people,” said Leigh Horner, chief sustainability officer for The Hershey Company. “Our philanthropic giving programs and employee volunteerism are key pillars of the strong culture that enables us to delight consumers with our beloved snacking brands.”

Hershey’s programs support a variety of community needs, such as education and workforce development, advancement of inclusive economic development, and youth programs that support social and emotional well-being. In addition to philanthropic giving and product-donation programs, Hershey employees show up for their communities by donating funds and volunteering for the causes they care about. In 2023, Hershey employees volunteered nearly 130,000 hours and raised more than $1.6M in matched giving.

For more than a decade, The Civic 50 has served as the national standard for corporate citizenship and showcases how leading companies are moving social impact and community to the core of their business. Civic 50 honorees are companies with annual U.S. revenues of at least $1 billion and are selected based on four dimensions of their corporate citizenship and social impact programs: investment of resources and volunteerism, integration across business functions, institutionalization through policies, and systems and impact measurement.

Hershey has been named to The Civic 50 every year since it was created in 2012. The Civic 50 survey is administered by True Impact, and the results are analyzed by VeraWorks. The survey instrument consists of quantitative and multiple-choice questions that inform the scoring process. The Civic 50 is the only survey and ranking system that exclusively measures corporate community engagement.

To view a complete list of The Civic 50 companies, visit civic50.org.

About The Hershey Company 
The Hershey Company is an industry-leading snacks company known for making more moments of goodness through its iconic brands, remarkable people and enduring commitment to doing the right thing for its people, planet, and communities. Hershey has more than 20,000 employees in the U.S. and worldwide who work daily to deliver delicious, high-quality products. The company has more than 90 brand names in approximately 80 countries that drive more than $11.2 billion in annual revenues, including Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kisses, Kit Kat®, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers and Ice Breakers, and salty snacks including SkinnyPop, Pirate’s Booty and Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels.

For over 130 years, Hershey has been committed to operating fairly, ethically, and sustainably. The candy and snack maker’s founder, Milton Hershey, created Milton Hershey School in 1909, and since then, the company has focused on helping children succeed through equitable access to education.

To learn more visit www.thehersheycompany.com. 

About Points of Light 
Points of Light is a nonpartisan, global nonprofit organization that inspires, equips and mobilizes millions of people to take action that changes the world. We envision a world in which every individual discovers the power to make a difference, creating healthy communities in vibrant, participatory societies. Through 145 affiliates across 39 countries, and in partnership with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 3.7 million people in 16.7 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most. For more information, visit pointsoflight.org.

SOURCE The Hershey Company

May 16, 2024 /3BL/ – Engage for Good, the leading company empowering corporate and nonprofit professionals to create mutually beneficial social impact partnerships, held their 22nd Annual Halo Awards Gala last night. The awards celebrated 2023’s best social impact initiatives between nonprofits and corporations across the country.

The winners were chosen by an expert panel of judges from a field of over 160 applicants. Winners took home Gold and Silver awards in 18 categories including “Best Disability Initiative,” “Best Social Impact Creative,” “Best Cause Product Initiative” and more. The winning campaigns took innovative approaches to make impact: from initiatives that used technology to help deaf and hard-of-hearing football players play at a professional level, innovative use of AI to identify antibiotic resistances in third world countries, a fund to defend the constitutional rights and creative expression of LGBTQ people, and more.

“This year’s winners demonstrate what is possible when companies and nonprofits partner to create programs that benefit the business and the cause,” said Muneer Panjwani, CEO of Engage for Good. “Social impact is not only good for the world, but good for the business, and we are inspired by the creativity, innovation, and commitment the winners have shown to address the many challenges our society is facing today.”

The awards featured performances by VINCINT and Miss Shalae, and were hosted by Minneapolis’ very own Michelle Young and Tim Gabrielson.

In addition to these awards, the evening celebrated Google.org as the Corporation of the Year, and charity: water as the Nonprofit of the Year. To win these awards, both organizations have shown years of commitment to pursuing innovative new partnership models that align the resources of nonprofits and corporations to create an impact on the cause and the business.

A collaboration between Hy-Vee and Feeding America, “100 Million Meals” was recognized as the “Best of the Best,” an award presented by social impact agency For Momentum. In 2023, Hy-Vee and Feeding America transformed a traditional in-store register roundup into a multi-pronged cause marketing campaign that united customers, employees, INDYCAR race fans, influencers, and suppliers across the nation around one cause: fighting hunger.

“I’m honored to present this year’s prestigious Best of the Best Halo Award to Hy-Vee and Feeding America. This award shines a spotlight on their remarkable 100 Million Meals Challenge campaign. Through a combination of best-in-class strategy, execution, and partnerships, they were able to provide 57 million meals to hungry families in 2023, with 43 million meals still to be donated in 2024. Their commitment to fighting hunger is truly inspiring. In the United States alone, 42 million people face hunger, including 13 million children. Thanks to Hy-Vee and Feeding America’s incredible efforts, millions of families will have access to nutritious meals. For Momentum is thrilled to highlight Hy-Vee and Feeding America’s partnership success, which is a shining example of how corporate and nonprofit collaborations can make a real difference in people’s lives,” said Mollye Rhea, President and Founder of social impact agency For Momentum.

The event also featured performances by rising pop star VINCINT, and Miss Shalae, one of the world’s top Beyonce tribute artist.

You can find more information about the winners at https://conference.engageforgood.com/the-halo-awards/

Please join us in congratulating this year’s Halo Award Winning Campaigns:

Corporation of the Year

Google.org

Nonprofit of the Year

charity: water

Best Advocacy or Policy Initiative

Gold: Drag Defense Fund – World of Wonder (and MtV Entertainment Studios) & American Civil Liberties Union

Silver: Forever Against Animal Testing: The Body Shop & Cruelty Free International

Best Cause Product Initiative

Gold: SONIC Limeades for Learning: Teacher Appreciation Day, SONIC & The SONIC Foundation

Silver: Wendy’s Season of Giving, Wendy’s & The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

Best Civic Engagement Initiative:

Gold: Family Dollar Doing More, Family Dollar & Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Silver:iHeartRadio Earth, iHeartMedia & National Environmental Education Foundation

Best Climate Change or Conservation Initiative:

Gold: Tom’s of Maine Incubator, Tom’s of Maine & Black Girl Environmentalist, Ocean Uprise, Earth Hacks, EcoHealing Project, Colorado River Conservancy and Start:Empowerment

Silver: EcoStrip Donation Campaign, Tru Earth Environmental Products Inc. & 1000+ nonprofits including Feeding America and Food Banks Canada

Best Consumer Donation Initiative

Gold: 100 Million Meals Challenge, Hy-Vee, Inc. & Feeding America

Silver: Call of Duty Endowment (C.O.D.E.) Warrior Pack, Activision Blizzard & The Call of Duty Endowment

Best Direct Service Initiative:

Gold: Powering Food Banks for Zero Hunger, PIMCO & The Global FoodBanking Network

Silver: CSX Pride in Service and WWP Drone Training Program, CSX & Wounded Warrior Project

Best Disability Initiative

Gold: The AT&T 5G Helmet, AT&T & Gallaudet University Football Team

Silver: FARE & CVS Teal Pumpkin Project, CVS Pharmacy & FARE

Best Emergency/Crisis Response Initiative

Gold: Knowledge is Power – The Signpost Project, Zendesk & International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Silver: Panda Express Hawaii Wildfire Relief Program, Panda Express & American Red Cross

Best Employee Engagement Initiative:

Gold: CSX Pride in Service and WWP Drone Training Program, CSX & Wounded Warrior Project

Silver: Ally “Giving Back” Culture, Ally Financial & 356 nonprofits

Best Gender Equality/Equity Initiative:

Gold: Abercrombie & Fitch x The Trevor Project Proud Year-Round, Abercrombie & Fitch & The Trevor Project

Silver: Deck The Stalls, Public Inc. & PERIOD.org

Best Intersectional Initiative:

Gold: Sleep Solutions, Scientific Revolutions: American Cancer Society and Sleep Number advance Sleep Science and Cancer Prevention, Sleep Number & The American Cancer Society

Silver: Make a Difference Campaign, Arby’s & Arby’s Foundation

Best JEDI Initiative:

Gold: Building A Fairer Future of Work: One Job At A Time, Checkr, Inc.

Silver: Audible’s New Business Attraction Program, Audible

Best Mental Health Initiative:

Gold: On My Mind, Spotify & UNICEF

Silver: Team: Changing Minds, Harry’s & Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Futures Without Violence

Best Social Impact Creative:

Gold: #WomenKnowHow, P&G & CARE USA

Silver: Deck The Stalls, Public Inc. & PERIOD.org

Best Technology for Good Initiative:

Gold: Knowledge is Power – The Signpost Project, Zendesk & International Rescue Committee

Silver: Passport to Earning, Microsoft & UNICEF USA

Best of the Best

100 Million Meals Challenge, Hy-Vee, Inc. & Feeding America

Engage for Good

Engage for Good is the leading company empowering nonprofit and corporate social impact leaders with the resources, expertise and community they need to build cross-sector partnerships that benefit the cause and business. For over twenty years, the organization has nurtured and celebrated the best social impact and cause marketing initiatives The company’s portfolio of offerings include: a national conference, the Halo Awards, a series of educational webinars and a podcast featuring topical experts, as well as a monthly newsletter, educational guides, a job board, and membership program. For more information, visit www.engageforgood.com

Media Contact

David DeLuca

VP of Growth

dave@engageforgood.com

Originally published on Built From Scratch

ATLANTA, May 15, 2024 /3BL/ – In honor of Armed Forces Day, The Home Depot launched a new Military Moving hub designed to offer information tailored to military families to learn how to save time and money on their next Personally Procured Move (PPM), including a downloadable permanent change of station (PCS) checklist and more to the hundreds of thousands of active-duty military families who relocate every year.

Military families on average relocate every 2-3 years, with military retirees averaging six or more relocations over their military career. According to Blue Star Families’ annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey, active-duty service members and military spouses consistently rank frequent military relocations and rising cost of home ownership as top quality-of-life issues accompanying service in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Home Depot’s new military moving hub is designed to be a one-stop-shop for all military relocation essentials. From moving truck rentals and boxes to décor and cleaning materials, the website is designed to help military families take the stress out of PCS. Families can discover how to save time and money on their next PPM with a downloadable military moving checklist, found at www.militarymoving.com.

“At The Home Depot, we hold a special place in our hearts for those who serve our country, and we appreciate the unique challenges and sacrifices military families face,” said Erin Izen, senior director of Military Relations for The Home Depot. “Moving is stressful, and each PCS is different. Our goal is to make these moves go a little smoother for our military families.” The Home Depot’s Military Moving hub offers exclusive resources and shopping discounts to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and military spouses, including:

New Military Movers Hub: www.militarymoving.com is a new resource and support hub with information tailored to military families to learn how to save time and money on their next PPM, including a downloadable PCS checklist and more.Military Discount Benefit: Active military veterans and their spouses enjoy 10% off eligible purchases every day, year-round, in stores and online.Penske Moving Truck Rentals: Active military and veterans receive 15% off moving truck rentals with proof of valid military ID or veteran status at pickup. Penske moving trucks can be found at nearly 650 Home Depot locations across the United States, conveniently located near many military installations.Military Exchange Services Partnership: Eligible members of the military community, including veterans, can shop tax free online with special pricing on major appliances sold by The Home Depot through the Army & Air Force Exchange Service and Navy Exchange.

The Home Depot employs approximately 465,000 associates, including tens of thousands of veterans and military spouses. Since 2011, The Home Depot Foundation has invested more than $500 million in veteran causes and pledged to invest $750 million by 2030. Learn more about The Home Depot and The Home Depot Foundation’s investments in military families and veterans at www.homedepot.com/military.

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Verizon

NEW YORK, May 16, 2024 /3BL/ – Verizon’s Small Business Digital Ready Program, a free resource for small businesses to access over 50 courses, expert-led workshops, in-person and virtual networking and incentives, such as grants, celebrates today having reached 300,000 businesses across the US. This milestone marks critical progress towards Verizon’s goal to reach 1 million small businesses by 2030.

Of the 300,000 businesses Small Business Digital Ready has reached, 51% are women-owned, 62% are Black-owned or Hispanic-owned businesses, and 40% have been in business for 2 years or less – often the most precarious time for new small businesses.

Active users of Small Business Digital Ready, defined as those who have completed at least two resources on the platform this year, are also eligible to apply for the program’s national $10K grants, which are awarded to select applicants. The latest national grant cycle is now open until June 28, 2024 at 11:59pm PT.

Rose Stuckey Kirk, Verizon’s Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer, said, “Verizon is leveraging its technology and innovation to promote economic empowerment and enable communities to thrive through Small Business Digital Ready. This program is part of our responsible business plan, Citizen Verizon, which has an ambitious goal to support 1 million small businesses by 2030, and today we are excited to celebrate our significant milestone.

“It’s critical that we’ve reached 300,000 businesses, but it’s important to say that that’s not all we have done. Small businesses that use Digital Ready are reporting real value. In fact, 77% of respondents to a Small Business Digital Ready survey** said that the platform had some effect on increasing their revenue or profitability, and 78% said the platform had an effect on increasing customers. When small businesses thrive, their communities thrive.”

Verizon Small Business Digital Ready provides personalized tools and resources in partnership with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and Next Street. Popular courses include building a brand, building a communications strategy, financing your business and cybersecurity.

The platform also has a dedicated Spanish-language site, with courses exclusively in Spanish. Verizon Business learned from its 2024 Latino Small Business Survey that 82% of Latino small business owners surveyed are currently looking for external support to adapt to changing customer needs. They also continue seeking support in other areas, such as finance, cybersecurity, and marketing, to name a few.

Small Business Digital Ready is part of Citizen Verizon, the company’s responsible business plan for economic, environmental and social advancement. Citizen Verizon empowers Verizon to deliver on its mission to move the world forward through action by expanding digital access and resources, protecting the climate, and ensuring people have the skills needed for in-demand jobs. Through Citizen Verizon, and the key pillars of Digital Inclusion, Climate Protection and Human Prosperity, the company’s responsible business goals include providing 10 million youths with digital skills training by 2030, supporting 1 million small businesses with resources to help them thrive in the digital economy by 2030, achieving net zero emissions in its operations by 2035, and preparing 500,000 individuals for jobs of the future by 2030. Learn more at CitizenVerizon.com.

**Based on 2,009 survey respondents of Small Business Digital Ready users