Tag: 3BL

Originally published by Mastercard

Back from Taipei – inspired by what’s next for urban mobility 

I recently returned from Taipei, where our teams and partners took an important step forward in making everyday travel simpler. Together with Taishin International Bank, we launched contactless payments on the Taipei Metro, a great example of how we’re focused on transit and bringing the benefits of open-loop experiences to riders: tap in with the card or wallet you already carry, no extra transit card or top-ups needed. 

We’ve paired this with our Mastercard Priceless Planet Coalition – tap, ride, plant – so each tap contributes to our reforestation efforts and makes sustainability part of daily routines in a simple, tangible way. 

Proud of the collaboration behind this milestone and energized by what we’ll continue to build with our partners.

Continue reading here

Follow along Mastercard’s journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.

GENEVA, March 3, 2026 /3BL/ – The Tire Industry Project (TIP) announced today the release of the End-of-Life Tire Toolkit 2.0, a comprehensive, practical guide to implementing more sustainable end-of-life tire (ELT) management systems, reducing waste and fostering circularity within the sector worldwide.

The latest Toolkit outlines approaches for developing resilient, transparent and effective ELT management systems amid diverse regulatory and market conditions. It is designed for policymakers, industry associations and tire manufacturers, while also offering valuable insights to the sector’s recyclers, recovery operators, retailers, researchers and civil society organizations. Building on the first edition published in 2021, this Toolkit is the only known consolidation of the latest knowledge, real-world case studies and insights from ELT experts on the evolving challenges and opportunities across the ELT value chain.

Globally, more than one billion tires reach the end of their usable life every year. While ELTs and their materials represent a valuable resource for the circular economy, management systems remain highly fragmented, with uneven collection, recovery and recycling outcomes across regions.

The latest Toolkit builds on years of work by TIP and its member companies as well as the collective effort of experts from organizations across the tire value chain who are committed to circularity. It offers an array of tools for assessing existing systems, identifying gaps and implementing improvements, including:

• Maturity assessment tools: Step-by-step frameworks to evaluate the effectiveness of ELT management systems across key stages in the ELT process.
• Concrete examples: Case studies of ELT management systems from nine countries, illustrating a range of regulatory approaches and system maturities.
• Practical guidance for improvement: Action-oriented recommendations tailored to core audiences, covering the full ELT value chain from collection and sorting to processing and management.

The Toolkit also supports progress toward UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including improved resource efficiency in consumption and production (8.4), the sustainable management and use of natural resources (12.2) and substantially reducing waste generation (12.5).

“Effective ELT management is both an environmental imperative and a source of long-term value creation,” said Tania Paratian, Director of Action and Engagement at TIP. “We developed the ELT Toolkit 2.0 to offer stakeholders, no matter where they are in the world or in their ELT management journey, a strong practical foundation for building their sustainability efforts. The initiative supports our commitment to advancing more sustainable ELT management worldwide, guided by the Sustainable Development Goals.” 

---

-ENDS-

xxxx- Notes to Editors -xxxx

About TIP 

Formed in 2005, the Tire Industry Project (TIP) is a voluntary CEO-driven initiative with a mission to anticipate, understand and address global environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues relevant to the tire industry and its value chain.​ 

TIP acts by commissioning independent research of the highest standards, collaborating on sectoral solutions and engaging with external stakeholders. ​ 

TIP is part of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), bringing together 10 leading tire companies that represent more than 60% of the world’s tire manufacturing capacity. ​ 

In 2025, TIP marked its 20th anniversary—a milestone that reflects its long-term commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and fostering collective industry action to improve sustainability across the tire value chain.​ 

For more information, visit The Tire Industry Project. 

Originally published on CVS Health Company News

CVS Health/Morning Consult survey reveals patients trust and prefer local pharmacy care, want expanded services in community pharmacy

Number of pharmacy technicians who want to become pharmacists has increased significantly since 2024

WOONSOCKET, R.I., — CVS Health® (NYSE: CVS) recently released the 2025 Rx Report: Community Pharmacy Reimagined, which explores how community pharmacies are adapting to meet patient demand while supporting pharmacy teams and addressing industry challenges with sustainable models of care.

“As one of the most trusted health care brands, CVS Pharmacy® is committed to delivering personalized, accessible care that meets patients where they are,” said Len Shankman, Executive Vice President and President of Pharmacy and Consumer Wellness, CVS Health. “Our latest Rx Report shows that patients want more care from their local pharmacies, and pharmacy teams are ready to provide it. By combining the power of human connection with innovative digital tools and a more sustainable reimbursement model, we’re building the future of community pharmacy today.”

The 2025 Rx Report is based on a CVS Health survey of more than 2,200 consumers and more than 1,060 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians¹, revealing several trends:

• Community pharmacies are convenient and accessible. Nearly 8 in 10 U.S. adults report visiting a pharmacy in the past year, with 42% prioritizing personalized, convenient care.
• Trust in pharmacists remains strong. More than three-quarters (77%) of adults trust their local pharmacist, and 84% view pharmacies as credible sources of health care.
• In-person care remains essential. 80% of patients prefer face-to-face pharmacy care, and nearly half (48%) would switch pharmacies if limited to digital-only options. The overwhelming majority of pharmacy professionals (97%) also say in-person interactions remain vital.
• Pharmacy teams want to expand their roles. Seventy-five percent of retail pharmacy professionals aspire to provide more care for their patients.
• Technology can enhance care and support pharmacy teams. 65% of retail pharmacists are interested in integrating technology into their roles to enhance their day-to-day work, creating efficiencies and enabling more time for patient care.
• Future generations need support: 40% of pharmacy technicians are interested in becoming pharmacists, up significantly year over year, underscoring the need for scholarships and training programs.

“Community pharmacy teams do so much more than fill prescriptions and, as patients increasingly rely on them for local access to care, we are reimagining the role they play to have an even greater impact on public health,” said Lucille Accetta, Senior Vice President and Chief Pharmacy Officer, CVS Health. “It’s why we’re continuing to develop new ways to support our colleagues, giving them more time to care for patients, advancing smart public policy that enables them to play an expanded care role, and helping to champion the next generation of community pharmacists.”

A community health destination

The recent CVS Health survey data indicates that patients prefer face-to-face care over digital-only options. CVS Pharmacy’s approach is tech-enabled but powered by colleagues – prioritizing the long-standing trust of pharmacy teams in local communities and using technology in innovative new ways to enhance pharmacist-patient interactions.

To meet growing patient needs in local communities, CVS Pharmacy is also expanding access by opening nearly 100 new community locations this year — including more than 60 acquired from Rite Aid in the Pacific Northwest. The company is also launching new small-format stores in underserved areas, which will offer full prescription services, immunizations, refills and medication support, along with a curated selection of health essentials.

Smart technology supports pharmacy teams and patients

Survey results also highlight the importance of supporting pharmacy teams, with two-thirds of retail pharmacists saying technology integration can improve workflow and patient care. CVS Pharmacy continues to invest in innovations that support its pharmacy colleagues, including a dynamic workload-sharing model, the SmartDUR™ drug utilization review system, and a modernized pharmacy operating system developed with input from colleagues themselves.

Expanding the role of community pharmacy

An expanded scope of practice – such as prescribing certain medications – is among the top changes pharmacy professionals want to see in the industry over the next several years. CVS Pharmacy has expanded the types of care and services it provides – from administering more than a dozen vaccines to testing for certain illnesses and prescribing certain therapies, where allowed by state law, and performing comprehensive medication reviews. But there is still more that both pharmacists and technicians can do to play an expanded role in public health.

It is why the company is also advocating for public policy solutions that support sustainable pharmacy care. This includes supporting the Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacy Services Act of 2025 (H.R. 3164/S. 2426), which would help preserve access to pharmacist-led testing and services that have become mainstays since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Advancing a sustainable pharmacy model

The report underscores the need for new reimbursement models to stabilize community pharmacies, as traditional market basket approaches have challenged community pharmacies.

CVS CostVantage™, the company’s cost-based pricing framework, establishes reimbursement based on actual drug cost, a defined markup and a dispensing fee, delivering transparency for payors while ensuring fair compensation for pharmacy services. In 2026, the company plans to transition several government services programs to the cost-based pricing model.

Investing in the next generation

CVS Health is also addressing workforce sustainability with investments in tuition assistance, scholarships and partnerships with pharmacy schools. Through programs such as the PharmD Tuition Assistance Program and partnerships with the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and Duquesne University, CVS Health is helping to prepare tomorrow’s pharmacy leaders.

Community pharmacy is at an inflection point. To meet rising demand and market pressures, the industry must evolve by combining technology that drives convenience with the human connections patients trust most. With more than 9,000 community health destinations and a 60-year legacy of innovation, CVS Pharmacy is reimagining what local pharmacy care can be — because the future starts now.

The full 2025 Rx Report can be downloaded at CVSHealth.com/Rx-Report.

###

About CVS Health

CVS Health® is a leading health solutions company building a world of health around every consumer, wherever they are. As of June 30, 2025, the Company had approximately 9,000 retail pharmacy locations, more than 1,000 walk-in and primary care medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with approximately 87 million plan members, and a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than 800,000 patients per year. The Company also serves an estimated more than 37 million people through traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including highly rated Medicare Advantage offerings and a leading standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. The Company’s integrated model uses personalized, technology driven services to connect people to simply better health, increasing access to quality care, delivering better outcomes, and lowering overall costs.

 

Stephen Ritz of Green Bronx Machine to visit greater Denver, Colorado area for Great Day Colorado media appearance, public speaking, school visits, teacher training, screening of the award-winning documentary – GENERATION GROWTH – www.generationgrowthfilm.com – and a special teacher meet and greet at the Slate Hotel in partnership with Global Lighthouse Studios.

THESE ARE FREE EVENTS – open to the public and media, complete with Live Q/A, and photo opportunities.

CALLING ALL TEACHERS – Let’s Get Happy, join us at the Slate Hotel, FREE Teacher Engagement Session

When: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 @ 4-7 PM

Where:

The Slate Hotel
1250 Welton Street
Denver, Colorado, 80204

Who and What:

Join Stephen Ritz, Founder of Green Bronx Machine, along with Donna Guerin, Founder & Executive Director of Global Lighthouse Studios, for a happy hour meet and greet, conversations, partnership opportunities, and information about high-impact school sustainability programs, arts integration, and effective fundraising and corporate engagement strategies. Connect with fellow school leaders and teachers, along with local community-based organizations.

Ritz, regarded as America’s favorite teacher, is well regarded as a systems disruptor, highly innovative educator, urban farmer, social entrepreneur, and community advocate. A two-time best-selling author, host of a children’s tv show, he is well-known to educators and to the larger business and sustainability communities across the state of Colorado. Football coach, MLB / NFL All-Star Deion Sanders calls him: “Prime Time.” He is a five-time standing ovation speaker, presenter, and participant for the MBArk Program at the University of Colorado, Leeds School of Business – connecting business education to the food business, the first MBA-level executive education program for senior and emerging senior executives.

Ritz has connections to Denver Public Schools, Gotham Greens, Danone, King Soopers, Altius Farms, and many local businesses. He has worked to create fully funded community support events and opportunities to benefit high need communities across the state and has appeared as a keynote speaker for a multitude of organizations successfully helping to raise funds and awareness.

His Colorado friends and supporters include Joe Dobrow, Julie Zagars, Mark Retzloff, Carlotta Mast, Gary Hirshberg, Dr. Alex Marrero, Hunter Lovins, Chef Ann Cooper, DJ Cavem, and a host of other “crunchy, tree-hugging, democracy-loving, renegade hippies” who are determined to change the world and leave it better than they found it.

HE AND THE DOCUMENTARY ARE A TOUR DE FORCE WITH PRIOR STANDING OVATIONS IN COLORADO!

SEE THE AWARD-WINNING DOCUMENTARY – GENERATION GROWTH – www.generationgrowthfilm.com – along with speaker panel, live Q/A, and meet and greet. This is a free, family-friendly event, open to all including media.

TEACHERS: Earn 2.5 hours of re-licensure credit applicable to DCSD School District.

SEE THE TRAILER HERE: https://greenbronxmachine.org/generation-growth/ 

When: Wednesday, March 4, 2026 @ 4-7 PM

Where:

Castle View High School
5254 North Meadows Drive
Castle Rock, Colorado, 80109

Who and What:

Generation Growth is an award-winning film that has had over 1M views and is being used by teaching colleges and universities across the nation and will be integrated into a series of school leadership training programs nationally.

This is more than a film — it’s a movement. Come see how healthy food, education, and community can transform lives. Bring a friend and be part of this conversation of hope, healing, and growth. Generation Growth is a compelling documentary showcasing Ritz’s journey as a Bronx educator tackling food insecurity, poor health and education challenges across the country. Learn how together, we will continue to change lives for the better and HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

Logline: Generation Growth tells the story of Stephen Ritz and his organization, Green Bronx Machine, as they grow high performing public schools, happy & healthy children, empowered teachers, and equitable, resilient communities along the way.

Synopsis: Poor health, diet-related diseases, food insecurity, and underperforming education continue to plague low-income and marginalized communities across the United States. Stephen Ritz, a Bronx educator who believes teachers change lives, is on a mission to change all that. He developed an incredibly successful whole-school curriculum, aligned to a data-driven indoor academic gardening program that allows children to grow vegetables in school, improving academic performance, changing eating habits, increasing classroom engagement, and providing pathways for 21st century employment. “Generation Growth” follows Ritz as he expands his low-cost, easily replicable program throughout the country, bringing passion, purpose, and hope to the communities, students, and teachers who need it most.

The film is being used in teaching colleges and universities across the country as an exemplar of pedagogy, curriculum, and school leadership including a new, 37-minute cutdown version designed for teacher professional development, highlighting effective pedagogy aligned to cross discipline, project-based learning. The film website is filled with resources, discussion questions, a grant portal, and more. Every public screening to date across the country has brought some level of new and additional funding opportunities, sponsorships, internships, and partners to host districts / schools. Denver Public Schools presently has over 20 schools using the very technology and curriculum featured in the film.

“I am so excited to coming to the great state of Colorado and grateful to Global Lighthouse Studios for working to make it happen,” said Stephen Ritz. “To be here, highlighting the film, appearing on Great Day Colorado, and most importantly, to support local schools, teachers, students, families and to bring free resources and training to all is proof positive of what committed educators and community advocates can do with the support of proactive, community minded school systems and leaders: I’m so grateful to be here!” Adds Donna Guerin, Executive Director, of Global Lighthouse Studios, “I’ve known Stephen for years, to be able to bring him, the film, his curriculum, passion, purpose, hope, and enthusiasm to my home community and beyond is the model of cross collaboration that all educators should aspire to. Our rising tide lifts all boats, and we expect the ripple effect will help all who attend to grow their pedagogy, their impact, their efficacy and skill sets. This event is for all teachers and parents, regardless of grade or subject being taught. It is in support of our entire educator community.”

Ritz goes on to add: “To be very clear, we are here to celebrate AND to grow something greater, for every teacher and for every adult committed to serving children. Donna and I are determined to continue to change lives for the better, to change narratives, and to create new paradigms and solutions together. This film and this moment are not about giving people fish nor about teaching people to fish, it’s about collectively creating new oceans and sustainable ecosystems that nurture all of us.” Ritz went on to say, “For years, Green Bronx Machine has had a successful relationship with Denver Public Schools and other Colorado school districts. This is a state that gets it on both sides of the aisle. Across the state, Coloradans understand that children will never be well read until they are well fed. There is so much respect and appreciation across Colorado for local food and healthy food aligned to high performing public schools and the arts, you see it and feel it everywhere you go. Further, to see the leadership, commitment, progress, inclusivity, and ongoing achievements happening in public education across the state and particularly across and within Denver Public Schools, under Superintendent, Dr. Alex Marrero, is inspiring, game-changing, and setting a new national standard. Folks are taking notice. Best practices are best practices, and I’m excited to see them, share them, and thank everyone committed to them and our children. Donna and I are excited to meet you as well.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Stephen Ritz
Green Bronx Machine
stephen.ritz@greenbronxmachine.org
917.873.6449

Donna Guerin
Global Lighthouse Studios
globallighthousestudios@gmail.com
720.588.0270

About Green Bronx Machine:

Green Bronx Machine is an award-winning, nationally acclaimed non-profit that builds healthy, equitable, and

resilient communities through inspired education, local food systems, and 21st Century workforce

development. Dedicated to cultivating minds and harvesting hope, their school-based model incorporates urban agriculture and Tower Garden technology supported by their whole-school curriculum aligned to key school performance indicators to grow high performing schools and happy, healthy children. Green Bronx Machine transforms once marginalized communities into neighborhoods that are inclusive and thriving. For more information, visit www.greenbronxmachine.org.

Reaching over 1,100 schools nationally and serving over 375,000 students daily, Green Bronx Machine was named a 2024 Fast Company Most Innovative Company and also offers an online educational platform, complete with instructional videos, free lesson plans, downloadable teacher resources, and an educational YouTube Channel: Green Bronx Machine KIDS! Learn more at www.greenbronxmachine.org/resources.

About Global Lighthouse Studios:

Global Lighthouse Studios bridges creativity and innovation to cultivate the next generation of changemakers. Through dynamic, arts-integrated programming, we empower students to turn bold ideas into action and vision into real-world impact. https://globallighthousestudios.org

#documentary #schoolgarden #arts #leadership #pedagogy #education #health #wellness #nutrition #denver #colorado #community #teachers #towergarden #greenbronxmachine #stephenritz #bronx #nyc

From the city of Milan and the Italian Alps to the world stage, Milano Cortina 2026 delivered a celebration of sport that extended far beyond the venues.

International Olympic Committee news

Across 19 days of competition, athletes produced historic performances that raised the standard of winter sport, breaking Olympic and world records and showcasing the extraordinary level of today’s competitors.

Here’s some of the key data from the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games (as of 21 February, preliminary figures):

Sport

• Around 2,900 athletes participated (final number to be confirmed).
• 8 sports.
• 16 Olympic disciplines.
• Ski mountaineering made its Olympic Winter Games debut.
• 116 medal events.
• 740 medals assigned.
• Eight new events: ski mountaineering men’s sprint; ski mountaineering women’s sprint; ski mountaineering mixed relay; skeleton mixed team; luge women’s doubles; freestyle skiing men’s dual moguls; freestyle skiing women’s dual moguls; and ski jumping women’s large hill individual.
• 13 Olympic records broken.
• 1 world record broken (Xandra Velzeboer – Short Track Sped Skating – Women’s 500m).
• 92 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) took part, plus Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN).
• Benin, Guinea-Bissau and United Arab Emirates competed in their first Olympic Winter Games.
• 29 NOCs won medals.
• 2 NOCs won their first-ever Olympic Winter Games medals:
• Brazil (1 gold: Lucas Pinheiro Braathen – Alpine Skiing – Men’s Giant Slalom).
• Georgia (1 silver: Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava – Figure Skating –  Pair Skating).

^{© 2026 Getty Images}

Gender Equality

• Most gender-balanced Olympic Winter Games in history, with women accounting for 47 per cent of the athletes.
• With the introduction of four new women’s events on the programme, Milano Cortina 2026 featured the highest number of women’s events at any Olympic Winter Games, with 50 events compared to 46 at Beijing 2022.
• 12 of the 16 sport disciplines in Milano Cortina were fully gender balanced.

Spectators

• Over 1.3 million tickets sold.
• Over 600,000 people visited the Fan Villages across the host regions.

^{© 2026 Getty Images}

Volunteers

• 18,000 (picked from 130,000 applications)
• 51 per cent female/49 per cent male
• 48 per cent aged under 35
• 98 nationalities

^{© 2026 Getty Images}

Olympic Villages

• 6 Olympic Villages.
• Villages served per day:
  • 356kg of pasta
  • 10,000 eggs
  • 8,000 coffees
  • 12,000 pizza slices

^{© IOC}

Media and Broadcast

• 24 Media Rights-Holders (MRHs).
• 80+ broadcast sublicensees.
• 6,500+ hours produced by Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS).
• 810+ camera systems capturing all the action.
• 25 drones (15 First-Person View (FPV), 10 traditional drones).
• 32 cinematic cameras.
• 17 real-time 360-degree replay systems.
• 1,800 microphones.
• 10,000+ broadcast personnel (4,500+ OBS / 5,500+ MRHs).
• 2,537 accredited press: 269 domestic and 2,267 international (written press, photographers and non-media rights-holders).
• 803 news organisations.
• 694 photographers.

^{© IOC}

Broadcast

• 2 out of 3 Italians have watched Rai’s coverage of the Games – a higher proportion than for Paris 2024.
• Italians have watched more coverage of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games than the four previous Winter Games combined.
• Europe: European Broadcast Union (EBU) and Members dominated the media landscape and consistently outperformed their typical market share.
• France, the next Olympic Winter Games host, had over 50 million viewers watching coverage on France Télévisions, a higher reach than Torino 2006.
• In the USA (by Thursday 19 February), the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games had averaged 24.1 million viewers on NBC, Peacock, NBCUniversal Digital Platforms and Versant’s CNBC and USA Network – the most-watched Winter Games at this point since 2014, and up 93 per cent from Beijing 2022.
• In Brazil, coverage of the Milano Cortina 2026 Ski Jumping now stands as the most watched Winter Games competition in Brazilian history. Moreover, streaming records for the Olympic Winter Games have been shattered in the territory.
• In Japan, Olympic coverage on Japan Consortium’s TV channels has reached more than 92 million viewers, equivalent to over 80 per cent of the potential audience.

^{© Getty Images}

Digital*

*Figures are provisional and reflect performance as of 21 February

Olympics Web, App and Direct Marketing

• 110 million users have engaged with the Olympics Web & App platforms, a record for the Olympic Winter Games.
• 120 million opens have been recorded for the Olympics App during Milano Cortina 2026, with it ranking as the No. 1 sports app across 75+ territories.
• 170 million mobile push notifications have been delivered, keeping fans connected to key moments in real time.
• 120 million personalised emails have been delivered to fans, activating over 400 campaigns across 9 languages.

@Olympics Social Media

• Over 10 billion engagements have been generated across Olympics social media handles during Milano Cortina 2026, tripling the volume recorded for Beijing 2022.
• 8.7 million new followers have been added across Olympic social media accounts during Milano Cortina 2026, bringing the total global followership to over 172 million.

Olympics Campaigns and Experiences

• 42 campaigns have been delivered in collaboration with IOC Worldwide Olympic Partners, making this the most extensive Olympic Winter Games marketing programme to date.
• 59 million video views have been generated by the Olympics‑produced short film Ti Amo, with additional global exposure via MRHs.
• 270 million engagements have been generated by social content featuring the Olympic rings Pasta, which has also been featured by leading media outlets reporting on the pasta’s viral success.
• 750 million social media engagements have been generated through Olympic Celebrity and Creator programmes.

LOS ANGELES, March 2, 2026 /3BL/ – Crypto.com today announced that it will donate $1 million to After-School All-Stars as part of its partnership with the LA Kings and the Kings Care Foundation (the award-winning charitable arm of the team), reinforcing a shared commitment to youth development and community impact. The donation will take place during an on-ice ceremony at the Kings’ March 2 game against the Colorado Avalanche presented by Crypto.com at Crypto.com Arena. The ceremony will be attended by Luc Robitaille, President of the Los Angeles Kings as well as other senior officials of the team, Crypto.com and After-School All-Stars, including After-School All-Stars Founder and former Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

This initiative reflects a joint effort between Crypto.com and the LA Kings to leverage the power of sport and community platforms to expand access to educational programming nationwide.

After-School All-Stars is a national nonprofit organization that provides free, comprehensive after-school and summer programs, as well as support services for students and their families. Since its founding in 1992, After-School All-Stars has grown to more than 18 chapters with 740 school-year sites and summer camps in 80 cities across the country, reaching nearly 150,000 students each year. The donation from Crypto.com will provide critical funding to expand After-School All-Stars programming across its chapters nationwide.

“After-School All-Stars is doing vital work to expand opportunity for young people during the hours when support matters most,” said Matt David, President of North America and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of Crypto.com. “At Crypto.com, we believe strongly in investing in our communities and this donation reflects our commitment to helping empower students to learn, grow, and thrive. We are proud to extend our partnership with the LA Kings, the Kings Care Foundation by supporting After-School All-Stars and the meaningful impact they deliver for families across the country.”

“I founded After-School All-Stars because every kid deserves a real chance to succeed, no excuses,” said Arnold Schwarzenegger. “When you give students mentorship, and opportunity, they rise to the challenge. I believe in results. With partners like Crypto.com stepping up, we can reach more students, open more doors, and build stronger communities across America.”

“When you invest in our students, you invest in their futures, and change lives,” said Andrea Bazán, President of After-School All-Stars. “We are thrilled and grateful for this outstanding support from Crypto.com, the LA Kings and the Kings Care Foundation, which will go a long way to enrich our programs across Los Angeles and our national network.”

“The LA Kings are proud to partner with After-School All-Stars, to reinforce a shared commitment to empowering young people and creating meaningful opportunities for them to learn, grow, and succeed,” said Luc Robitaille, President of the Los Angeles Kings. “We are deeply committed to giving back to our community, and we believe investing in youth development is one of the most impactful ways we can help build a stronger future for Los Angeles.”

In celebration of the donation, Crypto.com and the Kings Care Foundation will also host a group of After-School All-Stars Los Angeles students at Crypto.com Arena for the March 2 game. Fans will also see After-School All-Stars participants in a drumline performance outside of the Crypto.com Arena entrances ahead of the game, as well as on Zamboni rides during the game. Additional Crypto.com fan activations at the arena will include a Road Trip Sweepstakes and Lucky Row promotions, rewarding fans in attendance.

 

About Crypto.com

Founded in 2016, Crypto.com is trusted by millions of users worldwide and is the industry leader in regulatory compliance, security and privacy. Our vision is simple: Cryptocurrency in Every Wallet™. Crypto.com is committed to accelerating the adoption of cryptocurrency through innovation.

Learn more at https://crypto.com.

About After-School All-Stars 

After-School All-Stars (ASAS) provides free, comprehensive after-school and summer enrichment programs that keep students safe, engaged, and on track to succeed in school and life. Founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1992, ASAS partners with schools and communities to deliver year-round enrichment programming at more than 750 schools and community sites across 77 cities nationwide.

Serving nearly 150,000 students annually — including more than 25,000 students in Los Angeles alone — in communities with limited access to opportunity, ASAS combines high-quality mentoring, hands-on learning, and leadership development to strengthen academic achievement, build social-emotional skills, and inspire confidence in the next generation.

Learn more at www.afterschoolallstars.org.

About the LA Kings

The LA Kings have enjoyed a rich history of excitement, passion, and championship glory in Southern California while demonstrating the utmost commitment to their fans, partners, and community. Owned and operated by AEG, the Kings began play in 1967 and now play at world-famous Crypto.com Arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Since our inception we have strived to be the ultimate leader as it relates to employing many of the greatest players in National Hockey League history, and hosting and participating in incredible events highlighted by two Stanley Cup Championships.

About AEG

Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, AEG is the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company. The company operates in the following business segments:

• Music through AEG Presents, which is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performances, including the production and promotion of global and regional concert tours, an extensive portfolio of clubs, theaters and other music venues, concerts and special events and world-renowned festivals such as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival;
• Venues and Real Estate, which develops, owns and operates world-class venues, as well as major sports and entertainment districts like Crypto.com Arena and L.A. LIVE, Uber Platz in Berlin and The O2 in London;
• Sports, as the world’s largest operator of high-profile sporting events and sports franchises including the LA Kings, LA Galaxy and Eisbären Berlin;
• Global Partnerships, which oversees worldwide sales and servicing of sponsorships including naming rights, premium seating, and other strategic partnerships;
• And Ticketing, through its AXS.com ticketing platform, which provides more than 400 clients worldwide with ticketing services that cover the gamut of events and performances, including sporting events, arena tours, music clubs, festivals, rodeos and family events.

Through its worldwide network of venues, portfolio of powerful sports and music brands and its integrated entertainment districts, AEG entertains more than 90 million guests annually. More information about AEG can be found at www.aegworldwide.com.

LOS ANGELES, March 2, 2026 /3BL/ – Crypto.com today announced that it will donate $1 million to After-School All-Stars as part of its partnership with the LA Kings and the Kings Care Foundation (the award-winning charitable arm of the team), reinforcing a shared commitment to youth development and community impact. The donation will take place during an on-ice ceremony at the Kings’ March 2 game against the Colorado Avalanche presented by Crypto.com at Crypto.com Arena. The ceremony will be attended by Luc Robitaille, President of the Los Angeles Kings as well as other senior officials of the team, Crypto.com and After-School All-Stars, including After-School All-Stars Founder and former Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

This initiative reflects a joint effort between Crypto.com and the LA Kings to leverage the power of sport and community platforms to expand access to educational programming nationwide.

After-School All-Stars is a national nonprofit organization that provides free, comprehensive after-school and summer programs, as well as support services for students and their families. Since its founding in 1992, After-School All-Stars has grown to more than 18 chapters with 740 school-year sites and summer camps in 80 cities across the country, reaching nearly 150,000 students each year. The donation from Crypto.com will provide critical funding to expand After-School All-Stars programming across its chapters nationwide.

“After-School All-Stars is doing vital work to expand opportunity for young people during the hours when support matters most,” said Matt David, President of North America and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of Crypto.com. “At Crypto.com, we believe strongly in investing in our communities and this donation reflects our commitment to helping empower students to learn, grow, and thrive. We are proud to extend our partnership with the LA Kings, the Kings Care Foundation by supporting After-School All-Stars and the meaningful impact they deliver for families across the country.”

“I founded After-School All-Stars because every kid deserves a real chance to succeed, no excuses,” said Arnold Schwarzenegger. “When you give students mentorship, and opportunity, they rise to the challenge. I believe in results. With partners like Crypto.com stepping up, we can reach more students, open more doors, and build stronger communities across America.”

“When you invest in our students, you invest in their futures, and change lives,” said Andrea Bazán, President of After-School All-Stars. “We are thrilled and grateful for this outstanding support from Crypto.com, the LA Kings and the Kings Care Foundation, which will go a long way to enrich our programs across Los Angeles and our national network.”

“The LA Kings are proud to partner with After-School All-Stars, to reinforce a shared commitment to empowering young people and creating meaningful opportunities for them to learn, grow, and succeed,” said Luc Robitaille, President of the Los Angeles Kings. “We are deeply committed to giving back to our community, and we believe investing in youth development is one of the most impactful ways we can help build a stronger future for Los Angeles.”

In celebration of the donation, Crypto.com and the Kings Care Foundation will also host a group of After-School All-Stars Los Angeles students at Crypto.com Arena for the March 2 game. Fans will also see After-School All-Stars participants in a drumline performance outside of the Crypto.com Arena entrances ahead of the game, as well as on Zamboni rides during the game. Additional Crypto.com fan activations at the arena will include a Road Trip Sweepstakes and Lucky Row promotions, rewarding fans in attendance.

 

About Crypto.com

Founded in 2016, Crypto.com is trusted by millions of users worldwide and is the industry leader in regulatory compliance, security and privacy. Our vision is simple: Cryptocurrency in Every Wallet™. Crypto.com is committed to accelerating the adoption of cryptocurrency through innovation.

Learn more at https://crypto.com.

About After-School All-Stars 

After-School All-Stars (ASAS) provides free, comprehensive after-school and summer enrichment programs that keep students safe, engaged, and on track to succeed in school and life. Founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1992, ASAS partners with schools and communities to deliver year-round enrichment programming at more than 750 schools and community sites across 77 cities nationwide.

Serving nearly 150,000 students annually — including more than 25,000 students in Los Angeles alone — in communities with limited access to opportunity, ASAS combines high-quality mentoring, hands-on learning, and leadership development to strengthen academic achievement, build social-emotional skills, and inspire confidence in the next generation.

Learn more at www.afterschoolallstars.org.

About the LA Kings

The LA Kings have enjoyed a rich history of excitement, passion, and championship glory in Southern California while demonstrating the utmost commitment to their fans, partners, and community. Owned and operated by AEG, the Kings began play in 1967 and now play at world-famous Crypto.com Arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Since our inception we have strived to be the ultimate leader as it relates to employing many of the greatest players in National Hockey League history, and hosting and participating in incredible events highlighted by two Stanley Cup Championships.

About AEG

Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, AEG is the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company. The company operates in the following business segments:

• Music through AEG Presents, which is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performances, including the production and promotion of global and regional concert tours, an extensive portfolio of clubs, theaters and other music venues, concerts and special events and world-renowned festivals such as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival;
• Venues and Real Estate, which develops, owns and operates world-class venues, as well as major sports and entertainment districts like Crypto.com Arena and L.A. LIVE, Uber Platz in Berlin and The O2 in London;
• Sports, as the world’s largest operator of high-profile sporting events and sports franchises including the LA Kings, LA Galaxy and Eisbären Berlin;
• Global Partnerships, which oversees worldwide sales and servicing of sponsorships including naming rights, premium seating, and other strategic partnerships;
• And Ticketing, through its AXS.com ticketing platform, which provides more than 400 clients worldwide with ticketing services that cover the gamut of events and performances, including sporting events, arena tours, music clubs, festivals, rodeos and family events.

Through its worldwide network of venues, portfolio of powerful sports and music brands and its integrated entertainment districts, AEG entertains more than 90 million guests annually. More information about AEG can be found at www.aegworldwide.com.

March 2, 2026 /3BL/ – The Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council is pleased to appoint Paul D’Annunzio, Sustainability Manager at The Resource Group, as Chair of the Healthcare Facility Advisory Board (HFAB).

Paul succeeds Avery Palardy, Executive Director, Climate and Sustainability at Beth Israel Lahey Health, who served as Chair since 2024. We’re grateful for Avery’s contributions as the first HFAB Chair and her demonstration of strong leadership as she helped to guide the facilitation of the HFAB.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Paul as the next HFAB Chair,” shared Tracy Taszarek, Executive Director of HPRC. “Paul has been a dedicated member of HPRC for several years and brings a wealth of sustainability knowledge and experience to the role. We’re excited for him to continue building on the strong foundation Avery built as we continue to grow and evolve the advisory board.”

Paul is an Environmental, Health & Safety management professional currently working in the healthcare sector with The Resource Group, where he supports hospitals and health systems in creating safer, more sustainable care environments. Drawing on his background in civil and environmental engineering and an MBA, Paul focuses on operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and sustainability initiatives that reduce waste and environmental impact in healthcare settings while protecting patients, staff, and communities

“I’m honored to serve as Chair of the Healthcare Facility Advisory Board and to work alongside such a dedicated group of professionals committed to advancing sustainability in healthcare,” shared Paul. “Hospitals face unique challenges when it comes to plastics recycling, and the HFAB plays a critical role in elevating real‑world insights from the front lines. I look forward to helping guide our collective efforts as we identify practical solutions, remove barriers, and support healthcare facilities in creating safer, more sustainable environments for the patients and communities we serve.”

The HFAB members assist HPRC in identifying high value needs and opportunities for action, share firsthand perspective and understanding of recycling barriers that exist within healthcare facilities, and provide access to data, information, and resources at the hospital level. The Chair is responsible for providing strategic direction for the HFAB and leading the quarterly meetings.

 

About HPRC

HPRC is a private technical coalition of industry peers across healthcare, recycling, and waste management industries seeking to improve the recyclability of plastic products within healthcare. Made up of more than 30 brand-leading and globally recognized members, HPRC explores ways to enhance the economics, efficiency, and ultimately the quality and quantity of healthcare plastics collected for recycling in support of a circular plastics economy. HPRC is active across the United States and Europe working with key stakeholders, identifying opportunities for collaboration, and participating in industry events and forums. For more information, visit www.hprc.org and follow HPRC on LinkedIn.

CALGARY, Alberta, March 2, 2026 /3BL/ – Benevity, Inc., the leading provider of global corporate purpose software, today released a new report that reveals a growing tension between corporate volunteering and nonprofit needs as employee volunteering reaches record levels. Benevity Impact Labs’ State of Corporate Volunteering 2026 report highlights continued and significant growth in employee volunteer participation. However, amidst a government funding crisis, a volatile economy and a rapidly changing AI landscape, nonprofit needs are shifting. While volunteering remains a top priority for corporate impact programs, nonprofits list funding as their top strategic priority, which demands that corporate impact leaders re-consider whether their current programs are designed to meet the needs of the future.

As 2026 marks the United Nations’ International Volunteer Year and a global spotlight is placed on volunteering as a driver of social cohesion, the Benevity report surfaces another growing disconnect. While corporate volunteering remains a key driver of employee retention and culture-building, the data reveals a transition toward more episodic employee engagement. This calls for companies to move beyond the optics of high participation and toward a sustainable model that prioritizes more consistent, specialized – including AI-centric – support that nonprofits require to thrive.

“On paper, corporate volunteering has never looked better with record rates of employee volunteerism,” said Sona Khosla, Chief Impact Officer at Benevity. “Since the pandemic, we’ve successfully embedded employee volunteering across the corporate landscape, and companies have increased their investment, but we haven’t yet optimized it for the world we live in today. We cannot continue to allow hours to imply impact. When you look closely, you see more volunteers giving less time, nonprofits asking for different forms of support, and very little measurement of actual outcomes. That’s a clear signal the system needs to evolve.”

The State of Corporate Volunteering 2026: A System Ripe for Reimagining analyzes anonymized, aggregated data from the Benevity platform between 2019 and 2025, as well as nonprofit surveys and third‑party research.

Key findings from the State of Corporate Volunteering 2026

The report offers current data and major trends shaping the future of corporate volunteering:

• Companies are driving record rates of employee volunteering. Corporate volunteers logged 23.7 million approved hours in 2025, a 175% increase since 2019, while the number of unique volunteers more than tripled to 1.87 million. Average program participation rates rose 30%, from 10.4% to 13.6%.
• The depth of employee volunteering is declining. Average hours per volunteer fell from 16.4 to 12.7 per year over the six‑year period.
• The phenomenon of “micro‑volunteers” is increasing. Employees contributing fewer than five hours per year now account for roughly 60% of all volunteers, signaling a shift toward short, flexible activities over long‑term commitments.
• The gap between corporate priorities and nonprofit needs is widening. Most companies are planning to increase budgets for employee, team and skills‑based volunteering, yet only about 20% of nonprofit leaders say corporate volunteers contribute meaningfully to long‑term capacity. Many nonprofits report difficulty finding volunteers with the right skills or availability during the workday, even as opportunities for service projects are growing.
• AI literacy is a critical, unmet need for nonprofits. Data from Benevity partner, Goodera, shows 71% of nonprofits identified the ability to leverage AI for operational efficiency as an urgent priority, from communications and fundraising to impact measurement. Yet Benevity data finds that only 3% of nonprofits are using AI extensively today, with many still experimenting or not considering it at all — creating a major opportunity for skills‑based volunteering.
• A measurement gap is obscuring business value and nonprofit impact. The research confirms that employee volunteering drives business value, but most companies are not measuring business outcomes as a result of corporate investments in volunteering.

“The UN’s International Volunteer Year (IVY) comes as corporate volunteering is at an inflection point,” Khosla added. “The next chapter will belong to companies that work deeply with nonprofits to re-imagine volunteering programs with a focus on mutualism for nonprofits and employees, and a move beyond counting hours to achieving higher-level business objectives.”

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About Benevity

Benevity, a certified B Corporation, is the global leader in enterprise social impact software. Benevity’s all-in-one platform empowers the world’s most purpose-driven companies to seamlessly integrate corporate social responsibility into their core business strategy – driving measurable, scalable, and lasting impact. Benevity has supported more than $44 billion to more than 560,000 nonprofit organizations and enabled over 7.7 million changemakers worldwide since 2008, empowering organizations to build trust, engage employees, boost retention, and drive innovation. Its unified platform supports giving, volunteering, granting, and employee mobilization – backed by intelligent insights and a secure, global infrastructure. For more information, visit www.benevity.com

 

About Benevity Impact Labs

Benevity Impact Labs is a social innovation lab that brings new data, research and insights to help companies, nonprofits and individuals accelerate their social impact and inclusion efforts. With unparalleled access to the world’s most iconic brands, Benevity Impact Labs combines Benevity’s robust data and insights with third-party research to report on the top trends shaping corporate purpose and to provide measurable proof of the value of social impact. For more insights, visit benevity.com/research.