Tag: 3BL

Albertsons Companies associates held a winter coat drive across our Plano, Pleasanton and Arlington offices. The drive was a great success and our team collected 100 adult and kids coats to donate our partners at Rotary International and The Storehouse Community Center, where they’ll be distributed to individuals and families in need in our local communities. With colder temperatures approaching, these donations will provide much-needed warmth and support during the winter months.

Albertsons Cos. is grateful to everyone who donated, and to our volunteers for making this drive possible.

See original post on LinkedIn and read more about Albertsons Companies and our Recipe for Change on our website.

The past year, 2024, has been a defining moment for addressing critical global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, water conservation, plastic packaging and deforestation. As these issues grow increasingly interconnected, so too do the solutions. Companies, organizations, and governments worldwide recognize the need for a unified approach to achieve ambitious environmental targets and fulfill sustainability commitments.

Long before terms like climate action, regenerative agriculture, and circularity became mainstream, coalitions, nonprofits, and like-minded stakeholder groups were laying the groundwork. These early efforts not only raised awareness but also established frameworks for action. Today, these organizations are pivotal in guiding companies toward decarbonization, improving watershed health, reducing plastic waste, and implementing regenerative practices.

At the forefront of this movement is the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER). For the past 17 years, BIER has embodied the power of collaboration, setting the standard for industry-wide initiatives and fostering a culture of collective impact. Through data-driven insights, innovative methodologies, and best practice sharing, BIER has remained committed to advancing environmental sustainability solutions tailored to the beverage sector.

2024: A Year of Connection, Action, and Impact

This year, BIER continued to lead by example, driving progress on several fronts:

Industry-Specific Insights 
With the release of key publications such as the 2023 Water, Energy, and Emissions Efficiency Benchmarking Study and The True Cost of Water 3.0, BIER provided actionable data to empower its members. These resources not only enhance operational efficiency but also underline the importance of valuing water and energy in decision-making.Innovative Tools and Guidance 
The 2024 Water Circularity Playbook has been a game-changer, offering strategies to embed circular water use practices into beverage production.In-Person Collaboration 
BIER’s May Meeting at Pernod Ricard and September Fall Meeting at AB InBev were instrumental in fostering dialogue on topics such as Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure (CSRD) implementation, Forest, Land and Agriculture (FLAG) targets, and emerging regulations like European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). These discussions solidified shared commitments to sustainability roadmaps, watershed health, and regulatory alignment.Specialized Initiatives 
The BIER Coolition continued to address the environmental impact of commercial refrigeration, driving innovation in energy efficiency and circularity.Expanded Membership 
Welcoming members like Asahi Group Holdings and Monster Energy strengthened BIER’s collective expertise and reach.Leadership Transition 
We celebrated the appointment of Erica Pann as BIER’s new Executive Director, guiding BIER into its next chapter.

Continued Progress: Charco Bendito Watershed Collaboration

One of the most inspiring examples of BIER’s collaborative efforts is the Charco Bendito Watershed Collaboration. This multi-stakeholder initiative in the Municipality of Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, Jalisco, Mexico, continues to deliver meaningful progress in addressing shared water challenges. Throughout 2024, BIER members have built on the success of this project by:

Enhancing water quality and availability for local communities and ecosystems.Driving collective action among stakeholders to safeguard the Lerma Santiago watershed.Scaling insights from Charco Bendito to explore new watershed collaboration opportunities, including efforts in India, demonstrating the replicability of this impactful model.

Charco Bendito stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, proving that when industries, local communities, and environmental organizations come together, they can create lasting, positive change.

Collaboration at the Core of Progress

Collaboration is the cornerstone of BIER’s success. By bringing together diverse voices from across the beverage industry, BIER fosters a spirit of shared learning and innovation. As we look ahead to 2025, BIER remains steadfast in its mission to drive meaningful action. Together, we will continue to tackle interconnected challenges with the urgency they demand, advancing environmental sustainability in the beverage industry. Thank you to all BIER members, partners, and stakeholders who have made this progress possible.

December 19, 2024 /3BL/ – Bath & Body Works announces its inclusion on the Wall Street Journal’s ranking of Best Managed Companies. This is the second consecutive year that the brand has been included on the list.

The Management Top 250 ranking of America’s best-run companies is developed by the Drucker Institute and measures corporate management effectiveness. It examines performance in five key areas including customer satisfaction, employee engagement and development, innovation, social responsibility and financial strength.

“This is a great achievement for our brand and we’re proud to be represented on this list for the second year in a row,” says Gina Boswell, Chief Executive Officer at Bath & Body Works. “We have a best-in-class team at Bath & Body Works, this recognition demonstrates our commitment to ensuring our associates are engaged and empowered to drive sustainable long-term growth.”

To learn more about Bath & Body Works, visit bbwinc.com.

ABOUT BATH & BODY WORKS

Home of America’s Favorite Fragrances®, Bath & Body Works is a global leader in personal care and home fragrance, including top-selling collections for fine fragrance mist, body lotion and body cream, 3-wick candles, home fragrance diffusers and liquid hand soap. Powered by agility and innovation, the company’s predominantly U.S.-based supply chain enables the company to deliver quality, on-trend luxuries at affordable prices. Bath & Body Works serves and delights customers however and wherever they want to shop, from welcoming, in-store experiences at more than 1,880 company-operated Bath & Body Works locations in the U.S. and Canada and more than 500 international franchised locations to an online storefront at BathandBodyWorks.com.

Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (SB 253)  

California’s Senate Bill 253 (SB 253), approved in 2023 and amended by SB 219, aims to increase transparency and accountability surrounding corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, criteria pollutants, and toxic air contaminants. The bill requires companies that meet certain revenue criteria to publicly report and verify their direct and indirect GHG emissions data. This legislative initiative, in conjunction with SB 261, aligns with California’s greater climate goals which seek to foster increased clarity surrounding climate initiatives and motivate businesses to take stronger action towards their sustainability and emissions goals.  

Who Must Comply?  

These requirements are applicable to any private or public entity that does business1 in California and has a revenue that exceeds $1 billion USD. Historically, public companies have been held to a certain standard of financial reporting; however, SB 253 expands these standards to include environmental disclosures for both public and private businesses. The listed criteria are designed to target large entities that are expected to have a more significant environmental impact than businesses that do not meet the revenue criteria. It is estimated that SB 253 will be applicable to more than 5,000 companies that are currently doing business within California.  

When Does Compliance Begin? 

Starting in 2026, on or before a date still to be determined by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), covered entities are required to publicly report their previous fiscal year Scope 1 and 2 emissions (e.g., 2025 data) on an annual basis. Beginning in 2027, the annual disclosure requirement expands to include Scope 3 emissions.

It is important to note that the Enforcement Notice released by CARB on December 5, 2024, recognizes the lead time necessary to collect and calculate such information for the first time. As a result, CARB is exercising enforcement discretion for the first cycle (2026), provided the entity demonstrates good faith efforts to comply.  

What Requirements Must be Met?  

The focus of SB 253 is for large entities to collect, verify, and disclose their GHG emissions in a consistent, verifiable manner.  

1. Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG Emissions: 

Covered entities must calculate all direct and indirect GHG emissions in compliance with a globally accepted reporting standard, such as the GHG Protocol, and in an annual timeframe moving forward.  

For Scope 1 and 2 emissions, this data must be calculated and reported starting in 2026 with prior fiscal year (2025) data. Scope 3 must be disclosed in 2027 with prior fiscal year (2026) emissions data.  

2. Third-Party Assurance:  

To demonstrate data accuracy and provide confidence in the results, SB 253 mandates third-party assurance. The timing and level of assurance required is designed to increase, reflecting maturity of the covered entities’ emissions programs.  

Scope 1 and 2 emissions must receive limited assurance by a third party beginning in 2026 (2025 data) and reasonable assurance beginning in 2030 (2029 data).  Scope 3 emissions must receive limited assurance beginning in 2030 (2029 data); however, CARB is reviewing current and expected Scope 3 trends.

3. Public Disclosure: 

Once emissions have been calculated and received assurance, the results must be publicly disclosed. While the CARB is still discussing how and where to publish, we recommend publication on the reporting entity’s website. More information is expected to be published by CARB in July 2025. 

If compliance with the above items is not met, the bill has authorized the California Attorney General to leverage fines of up to $500,000 for failure to report emissions data. 

Why Does This Matter?  

With growing demand for transparency and accountability of a company’s climate-related impacts, it is important for organizations to present information that is accurate, verifiable, and consistent. The implications for failing to respond not only present financial penalties but can also influence stakeholders’ decision-making strategies and have lasting negative reputational impacts. By assessing such information, companies are able to better understand their impacts and leverage the data to inform their own sustainability strategy, demonstrating leadership and maturity of their programs.  

Ready to get Started?  

Discover how Antea Group can assist you with creating thorough and assurance-ready GHG inventories and provide support throughout the audit process itself.

Learn more about our Greenhouse Gas and Climate Change Advisory Services.  

Originally published by WSFL-TV

Childhood cancer is a life-altering diagnosis, not just for young patients but for their entire families. For over a decade, the Northwestern Mutual Foundation has been dedicated to funding research, supporting families, and creating “golden moments” to brighten their challenging journeys. Now, the foundation is making higher education more accessible through its Childhood Cancer Scholarship Program, a vital initiative to alleviate financial strain on affected families.

Continue reading here. 

More than 70 feeding programs received financial support as part of $500,000 monthlong campaignSurprise funding will help smaller agencies with senior mobile food programs, weekend backpack efforts, food pantries

GREENVILLE, S.C., December 19, 2024 /3BL/ – Duke Energy is wrapping up a monthlong initiative to support organizations that address food deserts, insecurities and inequities across South Carolina by announcing more than $300,000 in surprise microgrants and contributions to community organizations across the state.

The announcement concludes a monthlong campaign by Duke Energy and the Duke Energy Foundation to support organizations in South Carolina that address food insecurities and inequities across the state. In total, the initiative provided over $500,000 to feeding programs through Giving Tuesday supporting organizations including Mill Village Farms, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, FoodShare South Carolina, Harvest Hope Food Bank and AIM, among many others.

“If you grew up in South Carolina, you likely know that a ‘surcee’ is a small, unexpected gift,” said Tim Pearson, Duke Energy’s South Carolina president. “Giving Tuesday is the perfect opportunity to give a little something extra and highlight the great work these organizations do throughout the year to help keep our friends and neighbors from going hungry.”

The microgrants and contributions were not solicited by the receiving organizations. The ‘surcee’ funding opportunities recognize the important gaps these typically smaller agencies fill in the neighborhoods they serve.

A complete list of recipients can be found here.

Duke Energy employees also provided their time volunteering with these and other organizations throughout the month to assist in packing and distributing food boxes, preparing backpacks for weekend food programs for students and providing sweat equity to senior mobile food programs and other feeding initiatives in their neighborhoods.

Every bit of support to local food banks or soup kitchens is helpful any time of year but particularly during the holiday season. To find a community feeding partner near you, search online at SC211.org or text “FOOD” to 211211.

“We also know customers struggling to put food on the table are making decisions about what bills to pay at home, including their electricity bill,” Pearson said. “That’s why it’s important for us to also share information that can assist families to manage their energy bills when times are tough.” To learn more about these programs, visit duke-energy.com/SeasonalSavings.

Quotes

“Food insecurity is a growing issue in our area as the price of groceries continues to rise,” said Shelley Price, executive director of GRASP in Chester County. “The generous grant funding from Duke Energy not only provides much needed food for our pantry, but also serves as a lifeline for those who are doing all they can to make ends meet. As the holiday season approaches, let’s remember that while we are shopping and planning family gatherings, many of our neighbors are struggling just to put food on the table.” 
 “Duke Energy’s partnership with this ministry is making such a difference in the lives of our recipients – providing a hot meal and a visit by a volunteer,” said Laura Boles, president and CEO of Mobile Meals. “The funds will ensure that we can carry out that mission, improving the lives of so many deserving neighbors across Spartanburg County.” 
 “On behalf of the 22.7% of the food insecure children in Florence County, a big thank you to the Duke Energy Foundation for the recent donation,” said Diane Welch, founder and president of Help 4 Kids. “Families in Florence County are dealing every week with increasing food cost, and the bags their children receive each Friday is helpful in reducing some of the stress of food insecurity.” 
 “This generous grant from the Duke Energy Foundation will help us make bulk purchases of a wide variety of healthy groceries that will provide extra food for low-income individuals, seniors and families who don’t always have the money to pay their bills and afford food too,” said Mike Harlin, board chair of Golden Corner Food Pantry in Oconee County.

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.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. The company’s electric utilities serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious clean energy transition, keeping reliability, affordability and accessibility at the forefront as the company works toward net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including expanded energy storage, renewables, natural gas and nuclear.

More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.

Contact: Ryan Mosier 
24-Hour: 800.559.3853

View original content here.

By Gary E. Frank

Originally published on triplepundit.com

The Baja Beach Bash may sound like a rowdy seaside party, but it’s something much more. Held each summer, the Beach Bash is an annual opportunity for motocross enthusiasts to indulge their passion in the rugged, picturesque landscape of the Baja California peninsula of northwest Mexico while raising money for a good cause. The event has raised more than $2 million for the Rancho Santa Marta Orphanage, a home and school for at-risk children in San Vincente, Mexico, over the past 16 years.

Off-road racing pioneer Cameron Steele, a self-described lover of the peninsula and co-organizer of the Beach Bash, said the event started as an “outreach ride” to promote tourism for the Baja, which had diminished because of the region’s reputation for crime.

“The Baja was struggling with a bunch of negative press, and there was not much tourism,” said Steele, known by many in motocross circles as “Mr. Baja.” “A guy we were friends with owned a dirt bike tour company, and he was kind of struggling. We decided to launch this trip to support him and other people doing business down there to say, ‘Hey, we’re still riding in Baja and doing the Baja thing.’”

Cameron Steele’s love for the peninsula traces back to family trips in the 1970s, and he set out to share his passion for off-road racing in the region’s beaches and deserts with more outdoor enthusiasts from around the world. While the peninsula hosts renowned off-road races like the Baja 1000, the Beach Bash aims to be more accessible to bring people to the region and raise money for the community. In the early years of the Beach Bash, Steele and professional motocross racer Johnny Campbell invited hundreds of adventurers and spectators to the peninsula for days of beach riding and fun in the sun, with a percentage of each entry fee going to support Rancho Santa Marta.

“The numbers just weren’t really where I thought they should be,” Steele recalled. “At some point, I’m not exactly sure when, maybe 2011 or 2012, I decided I was going to take on the fundraising on my own. Along with Bullet Proof Diesel and Johnny Campbell, we started rallying the entire off-road community — our sponsors, our partners — and tried to get people involved.”

Steele’s longtime sponsor Monster Energy came through in a big way. “Monster Energy stands out in racing sponsorships because they actively engage with and support sports they love, fostering strong relationships with athletes. Rather than just a typical sponsor, they create a family-like atmosphere, backing their athletes with opportunities and long-term commitments,” Steele said. “Beyond race team sponsorships, they support various events, shows and ideas athletes bring to them, emphasizing collaboration and backing meaningful projects. This approach makes Monster more than a brand — it’s a team-oriented partner that goes beyond promoting a drink.”

Getting the brand on board as a sponsor was a game-changer for the Beach Bash. “Their support attracts additional interest and engagement from others, as the brand’s participation signals quality and reliability,” Steele told 3p. “Monster carefully selects meaningful projects, providing a trusted foundation alongside other partners like Ford. This relationship offers a dependable base, enhancing the project’s appeal and visibility.”

The cause behind the event makes it even more meaningful for Steele, who first visited Rancho Santa Marta in 2006 and came away moved by what he saw.

“This was even before I had kids, so I didn’t really understand the joy of children other than seeing other people being stoked on it,” he said. “But having my kids now, it makes it even more gratifying to see the kids at the orphanage laughing and smiling and knowing they have a safe place to live.”

Steele’s father, an off-road racer and “long-time Baja lover,” was a friend of another off-road racer named Bill Lawrence who founded Rancho Santa Marta.

“He had the idea, and he started the orphanage and school on a small level, and someone gifted him a plot of land where they’re at today,” Steele said. “Over the years of the Beach Bash and our other trips like Rip To Cabo, we’ve continued to return and share the orphanage with people. Everybody that goes there is touched by it, so they bring something more back. It’s been really cool to see that grow.”

A stop at Rancho Santa Marta to have lunch with the children is part of the Baja Beach Bash, which sometimes uses the orphanage as the start and end point for the event. Other off-road races have also stopped at Rancho Santa Marta.

“It’s hard to understand, but when the Baja 1000 or one of these major events comes by Rancho Santa Marta, it’s like having the Indianapolis 500 drive through your front yard,” Steele said. “The excitement is high, and the kids love it. They see the dirt bikes and they see the trucks and they see all the people and the riding gear, and it just builds that excitement. My favorite part is definitely when we roll into Rancho Santa Marta, seeing the kids being stoked and seeing all the people that we brought with us.”

This article series is sponsored by Monster Energy and produced by the TriplePundit editorial team.

In December 2023, the COP28 declaration set out to triple renewable energy (RE) capacity and double energy efficiency (EE) improvements by 2030. As an ambition this is not modest; the world has struggled to displace fossil fuels, the contribution of which in the energy basket has stubbornly remained north of 80 percent in the past decade. Indeed, if China, which in recent years has contributed to more than half of the incremental RE capacity, is taken out of the equation, the gains would be very minimal. And it is not lack of intent but the absence of means to transform the complex energy systems that is slowing down the transition. The challenges are many, top 10 of which were highlighted in KPMG International’s pre-COP28 paper titled, Turning the Tide in Scaling Renewables.

Energy transition is a story of growth and transformation, especially in Asia and Africa — the growth hotspots where societies are looking to improve living standards rapidly. This growth would be energy and capital-intensive. The bp World Energy Outlook 2024 has called this “energy addition” in developing nations in contrast to the “energy substitution’ scenario in the developed world. While the capital needs are indeed substantial, the challenges are not necessarily with the availability of capital — they are more to do with how the providers of returnable capital evaluate their prospects. Such risks called out by the capital providers, especially in the developing nations are not insubstantial.

It is in this context that we look at the role of AI and Generative AI (Gen AI) in addressing the climate change issues, specifically the effect of AI in driving radical efficiency in energy systems and enabling rapid renewable energy scale up, especially in emerging economies that are growing and transforming at the same time.

Modern day AI, and especially the combination of AI, Gen AI and High-Performance Computing is transformational. It touches upon every aspect, from materials, equipment design, production and supply chain to project design and development, construction, and operations.

Modern AI can transform the pace of deployment of RE and that gives us a reasonable chance to meet the CoP28 goals on clean energy. AI can radically pace up resource identification, land procurement, permitting, sizing and Interconnection management. Within a farm it can optimise solar and wind asset placement. It is enabling real-time performance improvement, enhancing predictive maintenance capabilities, improving energy yield forecasts, optimizing energy storage. AI is enhancing flexibility and resilience in energy transmission and distribution making integration of variable RE possible at scale. This is bringing down overall costs of energy delivery and enhancing the dependability of RE. Together, these promise a rapid makeover of clean energy production and use.

In addition to the technical functions, modern AI has the potential to bring radical efficiencies in a range of corporate functions, including financial planning, reporting, treasury operations, internal controls, procurement, supply chain management, contract management, learning and development, etc. These can bring in significant predictability, thus reducing the risks considerably. Together, these and other AI applications can substantially help reduce risks and attract finance at acceptable cost points. Also, through the efficiency gains and reduction in project development timelines, the scale of deployment and costs of energy delivery can be significantly improved.

This AI-enabled scenario for clean energy is a promising, yet uncharted land. Creative solutions are needed, but so is discipline to ensure that the promise turns into outcomes. Solutioning must be founded in explicitly expressed problem statements. Security challenges, cost of AI and other concerns must be dealt frontally, with guardrails established. As technologies evolve rapidly, none of us are privy to all the answers. The energy future through AI must be co-created by stakeholders.

But AI is also a double-edged sword. As was the case with automobiles a century ago, AI applications — in particular, data centres — are the new energy guzzlers. That said, just as automobiles have transformed connectivity and thereby human society, AI also has the potential to bring in paradigm-altering changes. It needs to be directed to where it has the most positive impact. There is a real possibility of accelerating clean energy delivery with the wide and appropriate adoption of AI and, in turn, achieve the goals set out at COP28.

Download the report (1.88 MB)

Click here to view this on kpmg.com/in

Published by Las Vegas Sands on December 12, 2024

In collaboration with the Macao SAR government, Sands China launched its Community Revitalization Program in 2023 to support local efforts to restore the vitality of cherished Macao historical areas.

Over the past year, Sands China has implemented a series of projects to revitalize iconic landmarks under the theme “Reshape. Rejuvenate. Reimagine.” The program supports culturally and commercially important areas in Macao, including the former Iec Long Firecracker Factory, the Taipa Houses, Rua das Estalagens and Macao Cultural Center Plaza.

Among these and other revitalization initiatives, one of the central components of Sands China’s efforts is the Entrepreneurship Recruitment Program for Rua das Estalagens in conjunction with the Macao Chamber of Commerce. Launched last April, the program funds innovative entrepreneurial ventures from Macao residents interested in starting businesses on Rua das Estalagens, once a thriving commercial street in Macao that also holds significant historic and cultural value. Sands China awarded funding to seven local businesses from 128 applications, after hosting a series of trainings and other events to help the entrepreneurs prepare their proposals.

“Through various measures including operational subsidies, this initiative supports aspiring entrepreneurs interested in settling in the area,” Dr. Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China Ltd., said. “The program introduces diverse business elements to the district to revive a bustling street atmosphere. The ultimate objective is to promote sustainable economic development within the community. We are committed to providing substantial assistance to local entrepreneurs through this program, empowering them to pursue their dreams.”

Another core focus of Sands China’s revitalization efforts is bolstering Macao as a tourism destination by spotlighting its history in the firecracker industry, which played an important role in the SAR’s economic and cultural development. The company is focusing efforts around the former Iec Long Firecracker Factory in Taipa Village, which operated from 1925 until 1984, and is considered the best preserved industrial heritage site in Macao. It is currently open to the public, following the completion of the first phase of the historic building’s renovation.

Through January 2025, Sands China is hosting the Colorful Spark Pop-up Cultural Creative Playground at the factory. The attraction features spark-shaped art installations, parent-child workshops and stamp collecting mini games at the factory. During the National Day holiday in October, Sands China presented a dragon and lion dance parade at Taipa Village.

Sands China’s support for the factory began late last year when the company included the landmark in its celebrations for the 70th Macau Grand Prix by hosting a series of themed workshops and photo opportunities to highlight its place in Macao’s culture. The company also presented a series of festivities in honor of the Year of the Dragon at both the factory and the Taipa Houses.

In the spring, Sands China transformed the factory into the Iec Long Zoo, with creative animal sculptures and an array of family attractions to promote the factory as a must-see Macao tourism destination. Other initiatives to revitalize iconic landmarks in Macao have included large-scale outdoor orchestral concerts and a summer art carnival held at Macao Cultural Center Plaza.

In support of these initiatives, Sands champion ambassador and six-time PGA TOUR winner Collin Morikawa visited revitalized areas being supported by Sands China in October of this year. Morikawa also focuses on community revitalization in his charitable work, and his tour of the Iec Long Firecracker Factory and Old Taipa Village helped Sands China showcase its commitment to preserving Macao’s unique history and culture.

Sands China’s program to revitalize iconic landmarks in Macao aligns with the company’s commitment to preserving Macao’s heritage and promoting the region as a major tourism destination. The program also incorporates the company’s dedication to helping small and medium-sized enterprises grow and prosper by promoting local businesses in various revitalization initiatives.

To learn more about Sands China’s revitalization efforts in Macao, visit www.sandschina.com/the-company/scl-community-revitalization-programme.html

By Julie H. Case, Editor, Team Rubicon

The 2024 hurricane season is (hopefully) in the books, and once again it showcased above-average activity. From the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record—Hurricane Beryl—to back-to-back major Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the season set records. And, punished the American southeast.

After making landfall as a major Category-4 Hurricane on September 26, Helene swept into the southern Appalachians causing catastrophic flooding there, and widespread wind damage from the Gulf Coast to the North Carolina mountains. The National Hurricane Center’s preliminary data indicates Helene was the deadliest hurricane to affect the continental U.S. since Katrina in 2005.

Then came Hurricane Milton, which made landfall as a Category-3 near Siesta Key, FL, on October 9 and spawned an outbreak of 46 tornadoes across the state. Those tornadoes, plus the torrential rainfall and localized flooding as well as the destructive storm surge Milton brought at least $3.17 billion in insurance claims within Florida to date.

In response, veteran-led disaster relief nonprofit Team Rubicon spun up operations across five states to help survivors recover from the storms. According to Deputy Director for Operations Support Lashelle Bullock, Team Rubicon leaned heavily on FedEx to deliver everything from clothing for volunteers—known as Greyshirts—to the tech equipment necessary for serving hurricane survivors to the disaster zones.

As the temperatures dropped, especially in the southern Appalachian Mountains, the nonprofit used FedEx gifts-in-kind to ship hoodies, beanies, and other cold-weather gear to 10 different Forward Operating Bases across five states. Additionally, Team Rubicon leaned on FedEx to ship critical Field Technology kits, which Greyshirts use to capture details on damage to homes that need repair as well as homeowner information.

Getting the supplies Greyshirts need into a disaster zone is no easy feat, but it is one FedEx has become quite accustomed to over the years.

“We operate like a well-oiled machine when it comes to disaster relief efforts. Being proactive to organize and plan our response into an affected area is key to helping those affected quickly,” says Heather Harshbarger, Communications Advisor at FedEx. “So, as a disaster like Hurricane Helene or Milton approaches, and in the hours after it passes, FedEx teams are meeting internally and with our supported NGOs like Team Rubicon to evaluate damage and outages in the affected areas and the routes leading to them. Then we determine what we must do to get around them.”

“Knowing that disaster relief volunteers like those with Team Rubicon will be responding as soon as possible, our FedEx teams quickly figure out how to deliver vital supplies into disaster zones,” explains Harshbarger.

To date, FedEx in-kind shipments have already helped 1,500 Greyshirts serve more than 37,500 Hurricane Helene and Milton survivors in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.

Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.