Tag: 3BL

Earlier this year, Gildan launched its inaugural Global Employee Volunteer Month, an initiative bringing together employees at the Company’s global locations to make meaningful contributions to their local communities. This International Volunteer Day, Gildan is pleased to spotlight the activities led by employees as part of this month-long celebration.

“With around 670 employees dedicating 3800 hours towards this year’s Global Employee Volunteer Month, this initiative was a testament to Gildan’s commitment to operating with respect for our communities,” says Claudia Sandoval, Vice-President of Global Social Compliance and Environmental Affairs at Gildan. “We are confident that this annual celebration will only continue to deepen a collective sense of giving among our global workforce and help make important strides towards our Next Generation ESG strategy’s goal of creating long-term value within our communities.”

Discover how Gildan employees played their part in supporting education, the environment, and other areas aligned with the Company’s Community Investment Policy.

Canada

Gildan’s head office in Montreal partnered with First Book Canada, an organization dedicated to providing educational equity by creating home libraries for children from low-income and historically excluded communities. Employees came together to assemble book bags and write inspirational notes for 110 children, encouraging them to embark on their educational journeys.

Honduras

As part of the 11-year partnership between Gildan and World Vision Honduras, employees from Honduras spent an impactful day with nearly 100 students from Choloma, Villanueva, and Quimistán, promoting environmental education. Volunteers organized friendly games and contests around environmental topics, fostering love for nature among the younger generations.

Dominican Republic

Employees from the Dominican Republic participated in interactive games and distributed educational kits to help students from 12 sponsored schools prepare for the school year. Through this initiative, Gildan supported over 3,500 students with much-needed school supplies, helping equip them for success in their studies.

Nicaragua

Employees from Nicaragua participated in an 8-day reforestation event, planting over 7,500 forest and grafted citrus trees on three partner farms. Additionally, employees collaborated with local producers and institutions to provide technical training to ensure responsible and effective planting practices, reinforcing Gildan’s commitment to creating a sustainable environment for future generations.

Bangladesh

Contributing to the community’s efforts to promote education, Gildan’s Bangladesh employees volunteered with two organizations – Bashbari Government Primary School, and Zamia Yakubia Habibia Dendabor – providing over 500 students with school supplies, hygiene packs, first-aid kits, and other necessities, helping alleviate financial strain on students and their families.

U.S.

Employees at the Eden and Charleston distribution centers partnered with The Last Dons and Charleston Promise Neighborhood respectively, packing backpacks with essential school supplies, and distributing these to local schools, supporting over 2,200 students in the U.S. with their educational endeavours.

Employees from Gildan’s yarns facilities also engaged in a wide array of activities in their communities, including distributing backpacks and supplies to students in need, organizing Relay for Life fundraiser to support the American Cancer Society, and volunteering at the Rescue Ranch, an organization providing permanent shelter to rescue animals.

Australia

Gildan’s Australian employees participated in a warehouse volunteer day with Good 360, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing essential goods and services to smaller charities and nonprofit organizations. Employees worked together to pack care kits filled with vital clothing for various communities in need, contributing to the well-being of individuals and families facing hardships.

Find out more about Gildan’s respect for communities here.

Originally published by Industry Insight from Ethical Corporation Magazine, a part of Thomson Reuters.

IBM runs a free online education platform offering more than 1,000 courses in 20 languages, covering AI, cybersecurity, data analysis and cloud computing. IBM SkillsBuild targets adult learners, high school and university students and staff, and aims to support educating communities underrepresented in the technology sector such as women and people on low incomes.

In November 2023, it launched new sustainability skills courses under SkillsBuild. Each learner receives AI-powered recommendations, while interdisciplinary coursework connects topics such as ecology and biodiversity with training in AI and data analytics. Introductory courses teach the connections between sustainability and technology through historical insights, while advanced coursework will ask learners to apply skills to sustainability topics across AI, cybersecurity and ESG reporting.

Demands for this type of training is growing, according to IBM chief impact officer Justina Nixon-Saintil.

Continue reading here

Originally published in ScottsMiracle-Gro’s 2024 Corporate Responsibility Report

Our #ThinkWaterPositive Initiative launched in 2023 to address water quantity and quality challenges. #ThinkWaterPositive educates consumers on how they can save and protect water resources while creating, maintaining and enjoying living landscapes that work in concert with the environment. The initiative promotes our long-standing water stewardship commitments to water-wise product innovation, nonprofit and community engagement and consumer education.

#ThinkWaterPositive comprises these three pillars:

Research and development:

Our teams enhance and promote turf, soil, fertilizer, plant food and application products that minimize water use and quality impacts. Examples range from water maximizer and moisture control products to drought-tolerant groundcovers and precision applicators to prevent overuse of fertilizer products. Other examples range from reformulations, such as increased use of slow-release nitrogen and the removal of phosphorus to mitigate algal blooms, to alternatives to traditional turfgrass, such as drought-tolerant clover lawns.

Environmental nonprofit partnerships:

Through our relationship with the National Partner Network, we support leading environmental organizations that have a combined reach of 150 million people. We further drive water stewardship at the community level by partnering with more than a dozen other environmental organizations. For example, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation’s support of the Alliance for Water Efficiency led to the development of the Home Water Works Calculator to provide consumers with strategies and customized data to improve overall household water efficiency.

Consumer education:

We teach homeowners about the benefits of green spaces, how to do more with less water and how to reimagine yards as water-wise landscapes. One way we contribute to consumer education is through the Scotts Training Institute, which educates retailers and associates on best practices to reduce water impacts so they can in turn share this knowledge with others in their stores and communities. Our scientists and horticulturists also provide region-specific tips for homeowners through the corporate and brand websites to minimize water use in local communities.

To learn more about ScottsMiracleGro’s commitment to corporate responsibility, visit our webpage

For full details about ScottsMiracle-Gro’s 2024 Corporate Responsibility Report, visit here.

PLAINFIELD, Ind., December 5, 2024 /3BL/ – The Duke Energy Foundation and the Indiana Economic Development Association Foundation are committing $150,000 in grant funding to support organizations and projects focused on improving access to affordable child care in Indiana communities.

The new round of grants follows more than $100,000 in funding awarded through the foundations last year to five organizations in Indiana working to close the child care gap in new and innovative ways.

“Inadequate access to high-quality, affordable child care not only creates significant barriers for parents and caretakers to participate and advance in the workforce, but also costs employers in lost productivity and employee retention,” said Erin Schneider, managing director of economic development at Duke Energy. “We know that Indiana’s child care challenges are complex and we hope these grant funds will help communities and employers develop solutions needed to support working parents and the state’s economy.”

State and local government entities, local and regional economic development agencies, and public and private nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for grants up to $40,000. To be considered, applicants must submit their grant proposal to the Indiana Economic Development Association by Jan. 31, 2025. Awards will be announced in March 2025. For a full description of the grant program, including requirements, eligibility and scoring criteria, visit ieda.org/foundation.

“Hoosier families, businesses and communities all feel the burden of insufficient child care options,” said Matt Kavgian, executive director of the Indiana Economic Development Association. “Making sure that working parents have access to affordable, quality child care will have long-term benefits for Indiana’s prosperity and economic competitiveness.”

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce recently released a report examining the impact of child care challenges on Indiana’s economy. The study found that Indiana loses out on an estimated $4.22 billion annually for the state’s economy, including a $1.17 billion annual loss in tax revenue, due to shortfalls in child care. According to the report, only 61% of children needing care statewide can be served through existing capacity.

Duke Energy Foundation

The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.

Indiana Economic Development Association Foundation

Supporting the economic development profession, the Indiana Economic Development Association Foundation provides scholarships and other support to tomorrow’s economic development leaders.

Duke Energy: McKenzie Barbknecht
Phone: 800.559.3853
Email: mckenzie.barbknecht@duke-energy.com

IEDA: Matt Kavgian
Email: matt@ieda.org

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BRUSSELS, December 5, 2024 /3BL/ – Cascale’s Brand & Retail Forum brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders from the global consumer goods sector for a day of critical dialogue and collaboration. Held in the European Union’s capital city of Brussels, the event provided a platform for exploring the intersection of policy and industry action under the theme, “Policy Dialogue in Action: Finding Common Ground for a Sustainable Consumer Goods Industry.”

A Call to Action for Industry Leadership 
Opening the Forum, Andrew Martin, executive vice president of Cascale, emphasized the need for collective action to address evolving regulations and shifting consumer expectations. “As industry leaders, we have the unique opportunity to contribute to evidence-based policy initiatives that not only drive sustainable practices but also create a future where businesses give back more than they take. In fact, it’s a responsibility,” he said.

Dr. Amaryllis Verhoeven, acting director, Tourism, Textiles, Digital Transformation of Industry and Social Economy at European Commission, DG GROW, highlighted the EU’s Transition Pathway for Textiles and praised Cascale’s Higg Index and Decarbonization Program as examples of effective collaboration. She underscored the Commission’s commitment to aligning sustainability with economic resilience, stating, “We are here to help you, but we need to hear from you how to best do so.”

Tackling Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities 
Throughout the day, panelists and breakout sessions addressed key legislative developments, including the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D) and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). Discussions underscored the importance of harmonization, transparency, and actionable data in ensuring compliance while fostering innovation.

Elisabeth von Reitzenstein, senior director of Public Affairs at Cascale, moderated a panel on the evolving EU policy landscape. Panelists called for increased collaboration between regulators and industry to ensure legislation remains practical while driving impactful change.

Advancing Supply Chain Transparency and Innovation 
Interactive sessions highlighted the transformative potential of strategic partnerships. Carolina Van Loenen, director of Stakeholder Engagement at Cascale, emphasized collaborations with Fair Wear Foundation and Open Supply Hub to advance human rights due diligence and supply chain transparency. Attendees actively participated in group discussions, sharing insights and strategies to address global supply chain challenges.

Closing with a Vision for Progress 
In a closing fireside chat, Pascal Brun, vice president of Sustainability and D&I at Zalando SE, encouraged attendees to view legislation as a driver of progress. “We’ve been fighting for more legislation—now let’s embrace what is coming and get it right,” he stated.

The day concluded with a call to action, as Cascale urged attendees to transform dialogue into tangible actions, driving systemic change for a sustainable and equitable future.

Immersive EU Experience: A Rare Opportunity 
As a follow-up to the Forum, attendees were invited to an exclusive Immersive EU Experience the following day. Co-hosted by Policy Hub–Circularity for Apparel and Footwear, the outing at the European Parliament offered a unique opportunity to gain insights into EU legislative processes, connect with policymakers, and deepen understanding of the regulatory landscape shaping the consumer goods industry.

About the Cascale Brand & Retail Forum: Brussels 
The Cascale Brand & Retail Forum: Brussels was a pivotal event uniting EU policymakers and industry leaders to explore actionable strategies for a sustainable transition in the consumer goods industry. Scheduled for December 4–5, 2024, at the Sofitel Brussels Europe Hotel, the Forum offered attendees a unique opportunity to engage in policy-focused discussions, gain insights into the latest EU legislation impacting textiles and apparel, and collaborate on solutions that drive sustainability and equity across the industry. An exclusive Immersive EU Experience at the European Parliament on December 5 provided deeper legislative insights and networking opportunities with policy experts and industry leaders.

Whirlpool Corporation mentors recently joined the 2024-25 Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG powered by Youth Solutions, Inc.) cohort from Benton Harbor High School to kick off the academic year.

Together, JMG youth and mentors explored the question – what is your personal brand?

Through engaging discussions about their strengths, hobbies, and dreams – students gained valuable insights into how their unique qualities contribute to building their personal brands, empowering them to envision exciting futures and fulfilling careers.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading kitchen and laundry appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home and inspiring generations with our brands. The company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2023, the company reported approximately $19 billion in annual sales, 59,000 employees, and 55 manufacturing and technology research centers.  Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.

View original content here.

Whirlpool Corporation mentors recently joined the 2024-25 Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG powered by Youth Solutions, Inc.) cohort from Benton Harbor High School to kick off the academic year.

Together, JMG youth and mentors explored the question – what is your personal brand?

Through engaging discussions about their strengths, hobbies, and dreams – students gained valuable insights into how their unique qualities contribute to building their personal brands, empowering them to envision exciting futures and fulfilling careers.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading kitchen and laundry appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home and inspiring generations with our brands. The company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2023, the company reported approximately $19 billion in annual sales, 59,000 employees, and 55 manufacturing and technology research centers.  Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.

View original content here.

LINCOLN, Neb., December 4, 2024 /3BL/ – NBCUniversal is partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation to help restore forestlands impacted by natural disaster.

“Trees bring hope and healing in the wake of devastation,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive officer of the Arbor Day Foundation. “The hard work of recovery continues long after the storm has passed, and first responders have left. That’s why partners like NBCUniversal are such valuable collaborators as we seek to get trees where they’re needed most.”

NBCUniversal and the Arbor Day Foundation have collaborated for the last 16 years. This new commitment will help plant nearly 20,000 trees in the Apalachicola National Forest, located southwest of Tallahassee, Florida. The land was devastated by Hurricane Michael in 2018 when the category 5 storm ripped through the region. Hurricane Michael caused an estimated $25 billion in total damages, affecting five states.

The Arbor Day Foundation has helped plant and distribute trees in disaster-affected communities and forestlands since 2005 and recovery work still remains a priority for the nonprofit. Following the destruction of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Foundation pledged 10 million trees to the six states affected by the back-to-back storms. The Foundation will collaborate with public and private partners as well as local tree planting partners to determine an appropriate timeline for replanting to begin.

To learn more about the Arbor Day Foundation and donate to the effort to help replant and restore areas impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, visit arborday.org.

About the Arbor Day Foundation 

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners. And this is only the beginning.  

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

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LINCOLN, Neb., December 4, 2024 /3BL/ – NBCUniversal is partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation to help restore forestlands impacted by natural disaster.

“Trees bring hope and healing in the wake of devastation,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive officer of the Arbor Day Foundation. “The hard work of recovery continues long after the storm has passed, and first responders have left. That’s why partners like NBCUniversal are such valuable collaborators as we seek to get trees where they’re needed most.”

NBCUniversal and the Arbor Day Foundation have collaborated for the last 16 years. This new commitment will help plant nearly 20,000 trees in the Apalachicola National Forest, located southwest of Tallahassee, Florida. The land was devastated by Hurricane Michael in 2018 when the category 5 storm ripped through the region. Hurricane Michael caused an estimated $25 billion in total damages, affecting five states.

The Arbor Day Foundation has helped plant and distribute trees in disaster-affected communities and forestlands since 2005 and recovery work still remains a priority for the nonprofit. Following the destruction of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Foundation pledged 10 million trees to the six states affected by the back-to-back storms. The Foundation will collaborate with public and private partners as well as local tree planting partners to determine an appropriate timeline for replanting to begin.

To learn more about the Arbor Day Foundation and donate to the effort to help replant and restore areas impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, visit arborday.org.

About the Arbor Day Foundation 

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners. And this is only the beginning.  

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

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Paramount is one of the worldʼs leading producers of premium entertainment content that connects billions of people worldwide. With close to 25,000 employees globally, Paramount aims to engage employees through community partnerships and volunteerism.

Paramount partnered with Catchafire to launch Talent for Good, a program to help employees leverage their skills to support causes theyʼre passionate about.

Initially under Viacom in 2015, the program was focused on engaging US-based employees through volunteerism. Since then, the program has developed to focus on global inclusivity and connectivity, extending a wide variety of volunteer opportunities to Paramount employees around the world.

Paramountʼs partnership with Catchafire has double the impact: they provide nonprofit organizations with access to the platform’s capacity building resources, while also engaging their own employees to lend their expertise through skills-based volunteering. Organizations have received critical support in areas such as translation, marketing and communications, and business development. At the same time, Paramount is cultivating a corporate culture of giving back, from the inside out.

A global volunteer experience

Skills-based volunteering is a powerful way to foster global team connectivity and inclusivity by opening doors to diverse, meaningful opportunities for employees across the world. Through virtual and in-person options, Paramount employees can connect with nonprofits that align with their passions and skills, regardless of location. This flexibility not only allows employees to give back on their own terms but also empowers them with the agency to define what matters most in their volunteer experience. By providing access to global nonprofits, Paramount is creating a platform for employees to learn from different cultural perspectives, enhancing cross-border connections and a shared sense of purpose.

The flexibility of the program meets employees where they are, offering programming that caters to each individualʼs skills, interests, and availability. Virtual, in-person, hybrid, individual, and team volunteer opportunities are available. Employees can choose from 15 minute microvolunteering, one hour consultation calls, or full-length projects in areas like marketing, finance, and strategic planning. Board service is also available, allowing employees to connect with nonprofits and lend their expertise long-term.

At the same time, Paramount employees are able to give back to the nonprofits and cause areas theyʼre passionate about, with over 14,000 nonprofits active on the Catchafire platform. They can connect with nonprofits and volunteer opportunities that they traditionally wouldnʼt have access to locally.

By providing agency for employees to curate their volunteer experience, Paramount employees from across the globe can give back to their communities, create a culture around social impact, and support nonprofits.

Rita Papadogiannis, Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility at Paramount, says, “Our goal with this program is to truly make it feel accessible globally. It has been a collaborative effort with our International teams to ensure that we are providing a variety of opportunities that resonate with employees and are onboarding community partners that align with our companyʼs values. It’s a work in progress as we build out those offerings, but we have seen huge success so far. And another plus is that we are beginning to notice a trend of employees volunteering cross-culturally with organizations headquartered in other countries. The opportunities are endless.ˮ

How skills-based volunteering builds employee engagement

Skills-based volunteering is a powerful tool that can transform the workplace by boosting employee engagement. By aligning volunteer opportunities with employees’ professional skills, companies like Paramount can create meaningful employee engagement activities that not only benefit nonprofits but also contribute to personal and professional growth. Employees feel a greater sense of purpose and pride when they apply their expertise to real-world challenges, making this one of the most effective employee engagement strategies.

Investing in skills-based volunteering is also an investment in employeesʼ professional development. For many, volunteering is a form of upskilling, building leadership skills, and networking with leaders in the social sector. Many Paramount employees have gone on to become repeat volunteers or board members, building deeper, more impactful relationships with nonprofits.

Rita says, “Skills-based volunteering opens doors for employees to showcase their skills to higher ups and supports employee recognition programs. This type of volunteering also helps employees learn new skills, which can lead to new career opportunities in the future. If you feel good about your talents and career, your mental health and wellbeing are also positively impacted.ˮ

Skills-based volunteering and social impact

Skills-based volunteering offers corporate employees the perfect avenue to leverage their professional talents while contributing to the causes they care deeply about. This type of service not only benefits nonprofits but also helps bridge gaps in resources, empowering organizations to expand their impact and achieve their missions more effectively.

To build a work culture around social impact, Paramount offers skills-based volunteering opportunities through:

Nonprofit board recruitmentCompany-wide meetings and town hallsNew hire onboarding programsWorkplace giving campaignsTeam volunteeringAnnual day of service

Paramount volunteers play an essential role in giving back to communities, supporting underserved populations, and advancing critical initiatives like health equity, access to the arts, and civic engagement. With decades of experience in fields such as IT, marketing, and research, Paramount professionals bring invaluable expertise that nonprofits might otherwise struggle to access.

By aligning their skills with nonprofit needs, Paramount volunteers drive meaningful change in areas that might otherwise remain underserved. From creating websites for arts organizations to providing translations for non-English speakers, the contributions of these experienced professionals are transformative. Through skills-based volunteering, Paramount employees have the unique opportunity to apply their expertise to social good, creating lasting value for both the nonprofits they support and the communities those nonprofits serve. It’s a

win-win for everyone involved, fueling positive change while deepening the connection between businesses and the world around them.

Learn more about Catchafire and the Talent for Good program.