Tag: 3BL

Recently, Entergy employees came together to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by participating in a series of events across our service areas to support our communities in need. With a shared commitment to giving back, our employees joined forces with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and Healthy and packed 200,000 meals that will be distributed to Louisiana families struggling with food insecurity. This collective effort not only allowed us to achieve our goal of assisting our customers, neighbors and families in need but also had a significant impact on addressing hunger in Louisiana.

“According to the most recent research from the ALICE project, more than 50 percent of Louisiana households are unable to afford a basic household survival budget. This means that families who are struggling to pay rent, utilities and other bills find themselves unable to afford healthy, nutritious meals,” said Patty Riddlebarger, vice president of corporate social responsibility for Entergy. “Entergy is committed to addressing food insecurity in our communities, and we are proud to honor Dr. King by joining with our community partners and Blue Cross for service days statewide.” 

In addition, Entergy Mississippi teamed up with Boss Lady Workforce Transportation in celebration of Dr. King’s legacy and handed out energy efficiency kits to over 400 of our customers designed to lower energy usage and save money on bills.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'” At Entergy, we believe that by coming together as a community, we can create positive change and make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.

For the eighth year in a row, we are honored to have been named a 2023 honoree of The Civic 50, Points of Light’s prestigious annual list recognizing the top community-minded companies in the United States. This recognition is a testament to the commitment and passion of our employees who continuously strive to make a difference in the lives of our customers and neighbors in need.

Learn more about how we serve our communities here.

Our St. Maries, Idaho lumber and plywood complex is situated in a picturesque rural community nestled in a beautiful timbered valley along the St. Joe River. The population of about 2,800 people is driven by the timber industry, complemented by some mining operations and a solid base of farming. PotlatchDeltic is by far the largest employer in the town, with about 364 Team Members working at the complex.

As a result, significant emphasis is placed by the complex on contributing to the well-being of the community. This includes charitable donations, which range from free swimming lessons in the summer, to supporting events like the local county fair, or capital contributions towards PotlatchDeltic Field at the Lumberjack Community Sports Complex.

Finding quality, reliable childcare can be one of the biggest stressors for a parent. In addition, the significant cost of childcare itself can pose a great challenge as it can take up a large portion of a parent’s monthly expenses. According to the Care Index, a ranking of all 50 states based on the cost, quality, and availability of paid childcare in each state, Idaho’s average cost of childcare is 25% of the median monthly household income. Additionally, Idaho is among the states with the lowest availability of childcare. Since many of our Team Members are parents, we know that they are experiencing these issues as well.

In 2022, we partnered with two local licensed and insured childcare providers to offer subsidized childcare to Team Members at the complex. This program started in 2023 and will continue in 2024. PotlatchDeltic is subsidizing up to 50% of our St. Maries Team Members’ monthly childcare expenses up to an annual maximum of $5,000.

This subsidy is intended to help Team Members with the financial burden and stress of paying for childcare as well as to offer a solution for reliable care for their children during the hours they are at work. This partnership with the childcare providers allows them to provide adequate staffing and expanded hours that meet the needs of our Team Members.

As of December 2023, the subsidy program had 34 employees enrolled in the program throughout the year. There were 4 employees hired in 2023 who enrolled in the program. Participation started at the beginning of the year with 17 employees and ended with 24. We believe this offering could assist in attracting new Team Members and as the program grows it will help us retain our valuable Team Members in St. Maries.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as “annual,” “believe,” “campaign,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “monthly,” “will,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management’s views of future events based on assumptions and are therefore subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, and are not guarantees of future conduct, results, or policies. Please view the Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information on page 134 of PotlatchDeltic’s 2022 ESG Report.

Originally published by Taco Bell

Powered by the Taco Bell Foundation and in partnership with Ashoka, the world’s largest network of social entrepreneurs, Ambition Accelerator is back for a second year and expanding to India.Ambition Accelerator is a social impact program that offers young people the chance to access up to $25,000 in funding, mentorship and feedback on their initiatives, and the opportunity to network with other young innovators.Ambitious changemakers between the ages of 16 and 26 in the U.S., U.S. Territories and India can review requirements and apply here: https://www.tacobellfoundation.org/ambition-accelerator/.

IRVINE, Calif., February 14, 2024 /3BL/ – Ambition Accelerator is back and spicier than ever! The Taco Bell Foundation’s signature social entrepreneurship program is now open for its second year of applications, this time with more opportunities to drive positive change.

The program invites young rising movers and shakers— also known as changemakers — to showcase their community impact initiatives for a chance to receive up to $25,000 in funding. As a bonus, program semi-finalists in the U.S. will be flown to Taco Bell’s headquarters for exclusive access to networking, additional funding and mentorship opportunities to advance their projects.

In partnership with changemaking organization Ashoka, the world’s largest network of social entrepreneurs, and funded by Yum!’s Unlocking Opportunity Initiative, the Taco Bell Foundation Ambition Accelerator invites young people to submit their venture ideas for the opportunity to grow their changemaking abilities, access funding, and join a community of peers and mentors who are leaders in the social impact space.

A young person with a good idea can change the world, and when they realize their power as a changemaker, the resulting ripple effect can change mindsets and drive structural change within their communities and even institutions. The Ambition Accelerator aims to power the bold ambitions of the next generation as they disrupt inequitable broken systems and pursue positive change, supporting and championing young innovators to be the leaders of today.

“As an organization, we’re passionate about connecting young people with the tools they need to chase their dreams,” said Jennifer Bradbury, Executive Director of the Taco Bell Foundation. “The Ambition Accelerator enables young minds to transform their bold ideas into impactful realities, fostering a generation of changemakers who will shape a brighter future for us all.”

New this year, the program is expanding and is calling on social impact drivers across India. Young changemakers in India will have the chance to access ₹1,000,000 (10 lakhs) in funding and an opportunity to attend an inaugural event in Bangaluru, India to pitch their ideas and projects to drive positive change.

“Ashoka has a large network of changemakers all over the world, so when we looked to expand this program to offer more young people the opportunity to impact their communities, and self-actualize as changemakers, we felt there was a huge opportunity in India,” said Tia Johnston Brown, Executive Director of Ashoka’s Youth Venture. “We’re thrilled to offer this impactful program in two countries this year.”

Young changemakers often face barriers, including inequities in accessing funding and resources. This program aims to create a space where all have access to the right connections, while fostering an environment that celebrates the rich diversity of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences of our applicants are celebrated.

All applicants will receive feedback from mentors on their application. Ten stand-out early applicants who apply by February 12, 2024 (11:59 PM PST) will also receive a cash prize of $500 or ₹20,000 in seed funding to help fuel their ambitions.

Applications are being accepted now through March 14, 2024 (11:59 PM PST). Applicants can email ambition@ashoka.org or text (571) 622-1066 with questions.

About Taco Bell Foundation 
Taco Bell Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity that helps break down barriers to educate and inspire the next generation of young leaders. Since 1992, the Taco Bell Foundation has reached more than 5 million young people around the globe and has awarded more than $155 million in grants and scholarships, focused on education and career readiness. For more information about the Taco Bell Foundation, visit www.tacobellfoundation.org.

About Ashoka 
Ashoka is the largest global network of leading social entrepreneurs—individuals with new ideas to systemically address the world’s biggest challenges and the entrepreneurial skill to transform those ideas into national, regional and global social impact. Over 40 years, Ashoka has supported over 4,00 social entrepreneurs in 90 countries with solutions addressing society’s most pressing issues. Ashoka’s vision is a world in which Everyone is a Changemaker—a society that responds quickly and effectively to challenges, and where every individual has the freedom, confidence and societal support to address any social problem. For more information, visit ashoka.org.

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Good things come in trees! Have you ever thought of trees as solutions for climate and ecological resilience, health and well-being, and economic inclusion?

That was the business case presented by the Arbor Day Foundation at a roundtable hosted by Mary Kay that gathered sustainability & ESG leaders of 15 companies from North Texas at the end of January.

Recognizing the critical role companies play in conservation, Mary Kay is deeply involved in reforestation initiatives through our partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation. Guided by its mission of inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees, the Foundation has planted more than 500 million trees since it was founded in 1972. Last year, the Foundation committed to the ambitious goal of planting another 500 million trees alongside its members, partners, and supporters by June 2027.

Ryan Rogers, Mary Kay Chief Executive Officer, and Deborah Gibbins, Mary Kay Chief Operating Officer, greeted Dan Lambe, Arbor Day Foundation Chief Executive Officer and Foundation team members and welcomed the group by highlighting the brand’s sustainability journey with women empowerment at its core.

Did you know:

The partnership between Mary Kay and the Arbor Day Foundation started in 2008 with a corporate recycling program, where one tree was planted for every old reusable compact recycled. The program exceeded the brand’s goal of 200,000 trees planted in the U.S.Mary Kay also supported the Foundation’s Nature Explore Classrooms in domestic violence shelters from 2009 to 2012, providing safe natural spaces for survivors.From 2013, Mary Kay supported large-scale reforestation projects globally, and in 2018, celebrated the planting of its one-millionth tree.

Milestone: 

By the end of 2024, Mary Kay will have supported the planting of more than 1.4 million trees in the U.S. and around the world. 

Dan Lambe said, “Trees are the connectors for people across generations and cultures. Trees, we believe, can be the cornerstone of any scalable sustainability initiative.”

Deb Gibbins emphasized the unique value of the partnership. “Tackling the vast scale of climate change requires collective effort, that’s why we engage in impact-focused partnerships with change-makers like the Arbor Day Foundation. The work of the Foundation enables us to keep on learning about climate and biodiversity, but also about urban forestry and forestry carbon. Their network of partners allows both local and global engagement while the dashboard allows us to measure our impact in real time.“

Notable speakers from AT&T and Marriott International contributed to the business case while influential leaders from 15 companies across various industries from the North Texas business hub shared their sustainability journeys.

The meeting concluded on a high note with a visit to the Mary Kay Museum and Mary Kay Ash’s office.

Mary Kay Ash once said: “We must have a theme, a goal, a purpose in our lives. “The Arbor Day Foundation has helped to plant over 500 million trees in 50 years and has cultivated the largest tree planting network in the world. What’s next? Planting another 500 million trees in 5 years – and we are rooting for it!

Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA; PARAA), alongside its brands, industry affiliates, and community partners, orchestrated a series of impactful events in Las Vegas leading up to this past Sunday’s game to shine a light on important societal issues.

Through its Content for Change (CFC) initiative, Paramount Global seeks to harness the power of content to combat bias and harmful stereotypes, transforming how the world sees people. Over the last week, Paramount Global collaborated with artists, executives, athletes and storytellers from all backgrounds to produce compelling content and host impactful conversations aimed at educating, inspiring and driving lasting change.

CFC x CBS x NFL Vignettes: In partnership with CBS Sports and the NFL’s Inspire Change program, Content for Change launched a series of six vignettes, highlighting the social good of underrepresented NFL coaches, teams and players, on and off the field. Airing on CBS’ pregame show, The NFL Today, as well as Paramount+ and CBS Sports platforms last month, these vignettes leveraged BIPOC creators and athlete voices to champion topics like mental health, diversity in education, women in the NFL and social justice. The final vignette – narrated by Co-Founder of The Roots, critically acclaimed solo artist and actor, Black Thought – aired on game day and can be viewed on the Content for Change website, along with the others.Murals for Change: Recognizing the power of art to spark meaningful conversations, Content for Change also unveiled its Murals For Change initiative. Four public artworks by Indigenous American artists and activists Danielle SeeWalker , Gregg Deal and Fawn Douglas were unveiled in the Las Vegas Arts District in collaboration with Native-led non-profit organization Tribal Minds. This initiative celebrates the Indigenous community and their untold stories within Nevada and beyond, aligning with Paramount’s broader mission to champion underrepresented voices and reshape global perspectives. Content for Change is also providing philanthropic support to Tribal Minds via a grant for their 2024 summer arts program, supporting the long-term inspiration and artistic development of young indigenous voices.Paramount Creators House: This event series brought together industry executives, talent and creatives in an exclusive, invitation-only event in Las Vegas. Featuring companies like the NFL, Microsoft and presenting partner, United Way, the event facilitated curated conversations on crucial topics such as mental health and wellness, LGBTQIA+ community inclusion, inclusive marketing, and voter engagement, addressing challenges facing the media and entertainment industry. Notable panelists included Solomon Thomas (New York Jets), Jonathan Jones (New England Patriots), 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominees and Dr. Nyaka NiiLampti (VP of NFL Wellness and Clinical Services), among others.

“Our commitment to shape content rooted in diversity, equity, and inclusion goes beyond business, leveraging our core strengths to create inspiring cultural moments and reach global audiences,” says Crystal Barnes, Paramount Global’s EVP of Social Impact and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). “Through initiatives like Creators House, Murals for Change, and our powerful vignettes, we aim to redefine narratives, amplify underrepresented voices, and drive meaningful impact in Las Vegas and beyond.”

For more information on the Content for Change program and initiatives, please visit Paramount’s Content for Change website.

About Content for Change: 
Paramount’s Content for Change is a global company-wide, cross-brand initiative that seeks to harness the power of content to counteract racism, bias, stereotypes, and all forms of hate. Informed and inspired by BET’s groundbreaking campaign, Content for Change applies scientific research, rigor, and data to transform the entire creative ecosystem across three pillars – the content the company produces, the creative supply chain that powers it, and the culture that underpins everything Paramount does. For more information, visit contentforchange.paramount.com.

About Paramount 
Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA, PARAA) is a leading global media, streaming and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic consumer brands, Paramount’s portfolio includes CBS, Showtime Networks, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount+ and Pluto TV. Paramount holds one of the industry’s most extensive libraries of TV and film titles. In addition to offering innovative streaming services and digital video products, the company provides powerful capabilities in production, distribution, and advertising solutions.

For more information about Paramount, please visit www.paramount.com and follow @ParamountCo on social platforms.

Eastman

KINGSPORT, Tenn., February 14, 2024 /3BL/ – Eastman (NYSE: EMN) today announced a long-term agreement with Nord Pal Plast SA part of Dentis Group, a leading Italian multinational company specializing in the recovery and mechanical recycling of PET packaging waste. Through their mechanical recycling sites in France (Nord Pal Plast SA), Spain (PET COMPAÑÍA PARA SU RECICLADO) and Italy (Dentis Recycling Italy Srl), Dentis will provide 30,000 metric tonnes per year of rejected PET post-consumer waste to Eastman. These materials, which currently lack a circular solution, will be recycled at Eastman’s molecular recycling facility in Port-Jérôme-sur-Seine, Normandy (France).

This partnership underscores the importance and complementary nature of both mechanical and molecular recycling processes in creating a more sustainable future. By combining their expertise and resources, both companies aim to achieve true circularity in the recycling process, maximizing the value of waste materials and reducing environmental impact.

“We are very pleased to enter into this agreement with Eastman since our group is strongly committed to promoting a continuous transition from a linear to a circular economy in the packaging market,” said Corrado Dentis, Dentis/Nord Pal Plast’s chief executive officer. “This partnership contributes to create a standing valuable platform towards PET waste reduction making mechanical and chemical recycling effectively complementary towards the achievements in European Plastic recycling rates.”

“We are very happy to enter into this agreement with Dentis/Nord Pal Plast, which exemplifies Eastman’s commitment to collaboration and our dedication to working alongside mechanical recyclers to tackle the plastic waste crisis,” said Brad Lich, Eastman’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer. “This partnership is a testament to our shared goal of reducing plastic waste and advancing the circular economy. With over 70% of the feedstock secured for our upcoming recycling plant in Normandy, including materials typically rejected by mechanical recyclers, this agreement represents a significant element of our feedstock availability and reinforces our commitment to sustainable solutions.”

Eastman’s announced molecular recycling facility in Normandy is set to become the world’s largest material-to-material molecular recycling plant. At full capacity, after phase 1 and phase 2, the facility will have the capacity to recycle more than 200,000 tonnes of hard-to-recycle polyester waste annually. This significant investment in France marks a milestone in Eastman’s commitment to sustainable solutions and supports the company’s efforts to establish a more circular economy.

Eastman’s molecular recycling technologies allow for the breakdown of hard-to-recycle waste into its molecular building blocks. These building blocks are then reassembled to create first-quality materials without compromising performance. Eastman’s process enables the potentially infinite value of materials, keeping them in production cycle after cycle.

About Eastman

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company’s innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive and diverse company, Eastman employs approximately 14,000 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2023 revenue of approximately $9.2 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit www.eastman.com.

About Dentis, Nord Pal Plast

Founded in 1987, Dentis nowadays is a multi-national Group specialized in the recovery and recycling of PET packaging waste, leader in the European R-PET market. At its production site and group headquarters in Sant’ Albano Stura (Cuneo), the company produces recycled PET bottle flakes with the brand name PETALO® and bottle-grade rPET pellets with the brand name REPETER® which it provides to Italian and international brand owners.

Focused on new challenges, in 2010s, Dentis opened at a season of PET market expansion by the acquisition of a recycling plant in Spain in 2013 (PET COMPAÑÍA PARA SU RECICLADO in Valencia, Spain) and a second one in France in 2018 (NORD PAL PLAST in Lille, France). Thanks to its mission and innovation policy, nowadays, Dentis Group ranks it as one of the largest mechanical RPET producer in Europe, having achieved the goal of a total recycling capacity of more than 270,000 tons of post-consumer PET bottles per year.

Media contact

Kristin Parker
1-423-229-2526
kristin@eastman.com

Media contact

Lidia Soria
Eastman Corporate Communications, EU
3-110-240-2831
lidia.soria@eastman.com

Wednesday February 28, 2024 at 11:00 AM MT / 1:00 PM ET

Duration: 1 hour

Corporate volunteering has had a major resurgence, but our latest data shows that providing your people with opportunities to volunteer on their own isn’t enough — they need support. 

Benevity Impact Labs’ new report, The State of Corporate Volunteering, reveals what top-performing companies are doing differently to increase program engagement and impact.

Register to find out:

The four key ways top-performing companies are driving engagement in their volunteering programs.How volunteering, especially in a hybrid world, can help strengthen employee connection and retention.What key drivers could increase volunteering participation by an average of 12x.

Register now to join the conversation

Linda Lamberson, Delmarva Power Senior Business Analyst, received Exelon’s Powering Communities Employee Volunteer Award, the organization’s highest achievement for volunteerism and community involvement, for her work with CATS Bridge to Rescue. Alongside Linda’s recognition, CATS Bridge to Rescue also received a $5,000 grant to invest in its rescue missions.

After adopting a pet from the organization 15 years ago, Linda began volunteering, “I am passionate about this nonprofit because it is near and dear to my heart. I have been an animal lover ever since I was a little girl, and it is very special to me to do something that makes a difference,” Lisa said.

Linda takes on many roles at CATS Bridge to Rescue, including training new volunteers, administrative work, taking photos of the adoptable cats to help them find homes, and pioneering new programs such as her music project. “The music project helps to make all our strays more relaxed and feel at home,” Linda explains. “I have taught our daily volunteers the magic of music by showing how the soft, classical music we play helps with calming these sweet creatures.”

Margaret Vautard, Executive Director of Cats Bridge to Rescue, admires Linda’s charisma. “Linda has something when she walks into a room – even the cats come running over to her because they know her voice — it’s the cutest thing!”

Linda credits Delmarva Power’s emphasis on volunteering, flexibility, and donor match as a key reason she can invest so much in her passion.

In 2023, Delmarva Power employees volunteered more than 17,200 hours — more than 2,150 workdays — to support 220 events throughout Delaware and Maryland.

Young adults who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ+) often experience unique challenges around career preparation, including apprehension when exploring and selecting a major in school, applying for internships, drafting a resume or stepping into the job market.

Although many youth make a smooth transition into adulthood and the workforce, some encounter challenges in finding or maintaining employment. To help support Los Angeles-based LGBTQ+ youth in their professional development, AEG’s employee network group PRIDE@AEG joined forces with one of AEG’s community partners, the Los Angeles LGBT Center, to host a career exploration panel that provided guidance on breaking into and navigating the live entertainment space.

The panel, which was held on Feb. 2, 2024, featured industry professionals from AEG, AEG Global Partnerships, AEG Presents and Goldenvoice who talked about their unique career journeys, discussed the mentors who inspired and supported them, and shared the pivotal moments that shaped their career trajectories.

“By having our employee network groups work directly with community partners, like our PRIDE@AEG’s collaboration with the LA LGBT Center, we are hoping to empower our employees and inspire the participants by showing them career opportunities available in the sports and live events industry,” said Jae Requiro, Vice President, DEI, AEG. “We know that representation matters but more than that, talent exists everywhere. We work to provide access to people from under-resourced and under-estimated communities and introduce them to new career pathways. Through events like this, we are not only better preparing these young people for the workforce, but also helping them see themselves in this industry.”

At AEG, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of how it operates. The company takes pride in creating a safe and inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome, can express their authentic selves, and shares a strong sense of belonging regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or ability. AEG is committed to building a company that reflects the communities it serves, because it believes that diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and ideas makes the organization stronger. To learn more about AEG, click here.

Since 1969, the Los Angeles LGBT Center has cared for, championed, and celebrated LGBTQ individuals and families in Los Angeles and beyond. Today, the Center’s nearly 800 employees provide services for more queer and trans people than any other organization in the world—offering programs, services, and global advocacy that span four broad categories: Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education, and Leadership and Advocacy. To learn more about the Los Angeles LGBT Center, click here.

At Tapestry we believe that difference sparks brilliance. Equity, inclusion and diversity pave the way for unlocking the potential of our people, our business and our communities. Our six Employee Business Resource Groups (EBRG) seek to help build deep and powerful connections between employees of different generations and backgrounds through shared lived experiences.

Juntos Unidos, Tapestry’s Hispanic/Latinx EBRG, seeks to promote and celebrate the rich cultural diversity, history and contributions of the Hispanic/Latinx community and empower our members to prosper personally and professionally.

Last month, Juntos Unidos hosted our most recent Unscripted event with the organization L.O.V.E. (Latinas on the Verge of Excellence) on the topics of young women and empowerment. We sat down with Claudia Espinosa, founder of Latinas On the Verge of Excellence – L.O.V.E. – to discuss the power of mentorship. L.O.V.E.’s Mentoring Program empowers young women to identify their innate strength to fulfill their personal and professional goals through mentorship and health education targeted at mental, reproductive and physical health as well as college and career readiness.

Unscripted is Tapestry’s internal speaker series that brings in inspiring guests, leaders and organizations for important conversations. During the conversation, L.O.V.E. leaders, mentors and students explored how the organization is helping to make an impact through mentorship and education with the help of corporate partnerships.

Learn more about L.O.V.E. here.