3BL Media Social Action

SOURCE: MSLGROUP Americas

How can defining a purpose for your brand help? By taking this essential step, it can ignite and create movements, catalyze your employees, key stakeholders as well as consumers & society. Connect with us to learn how you can redefine what your company stands for and engage your employees more holistically: Purple.mslgroup.com

MSLGROUP is the leading next-generation agency offering trusted advice and unbounded creativity and value in the always-on conversation age. We bring together industry-leading experts, cutting-edge tools and global reach to provide comprehensive solutions not found in traditional public relations firms. For more information please visit purple.mslgroup.com

Tweet me: PurPle leaders from @msl_group discuss importance of defining your brand #purpose in #marketing strategies today: http://3bl.me/ztt7my

KEYWORDS: Marketing, Media & Communications, Purpose, marketing, Brand, communications, Business and Social Purpose, msl group, purple leaders, strategy, sustainability

SOURCE: Verizon

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J., March 25, 2013 /3BL Media/ -- The impact of Hurricane Sandy still lingers for the 230 students in grades pre-K through 6 at Hugh J. Boyd Jr. Elementary School.  The school building, located at 1200 Bay Boulevard, sustained severe flood damage from the storm, forcing students to attend classes at the regional high school.  Students hope to return to the restored school for the start of the 2013-2014 school year.

The school's restoration will get a boost on Thursday (March 28) when more than 160 employees from the Verizon Leadership Development Program, along with senior leaders from Verizon, participate in a day of volunteer work at the school, organized by Jersey Cares.  Seaside Heights Mayor William Akers also will be on hand.

The volunteers will paint classrooms; remove weeds and plant flowers around the school; build new picnic tables to create an outdoor learning environment; paint planter murals and paint line games on the school's blacktop to be used during recess; and build new benches to be installed along the Seaside Heights boardwalk.

"Hurricane Sandy affected everyone in New Jersey in some way, and this project gives our employees a great chance to contribute their time and talents to getting Hugh J. Boyd Jr. Elementary School back into shape," said Jayne Mayer , director of employee engagement at the Verizon Foundation.  "Through our partnership with Jersey Cares, Verizon is able to give its employees opportunities to support our communities."

The volunteers are part of an elite group of newly hired college graduates at Verizon who were chosen to be part of the Verizon Leadership Development Program.  The individuals represent the next generation of leaders for Verizon and are committed to being good corporate citizens and giving back to the communities that Verizon serves.

"We've embedded volunteerism into Verizon's leadership development programs," said Theresa Torres , director of workplace performance at Verizon.  "Our employees understand that we run to a crisis, not away.  As the future leaders of Verizon, it's important our participants embrace corporate responsibility early so that they continue to build on it throughout their careers."

Jersey Cares, a Newark-based nonprofit organization that coordinates volunteer opportunities and promotes civic engagement throughout  New Jersey, worked with the Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon, to plan the volunteer event and to lead the day's activities.

"Many people want to help the shore region get back on its feet, and volunteering is a heartfelt contribution that provides a tangible result at the end of the day," said Brian Dean , executive director of Jersey Cares. "It's wonderful to see a company like Verizon give back by letting its employees spend a workday helping to strengthen our communities."

Mayor Akers said: "On behalf of the citizens of Seaside Heights, I want to thank Verizon and Jersey Cares for their volunteer efforts at Hugh J. Boyd Jr. Elementary School.  While our community continues to recover from the effects of Sandy, the dedicated work of these volunteers shows that Seaside Heights is on its way back and will be better than ever."

The Verizon Foundation is focused on accelerating social change by using the company's innovative technology to help solve pressing problems in education, healthcare and energy management. Since 2000, the Verizon Foundation has invested more than half a billion dollars to improve the communities where Verizon employees work and live. Verizon's employees are generous with their donations and their time, having logged more than 6.65 million hours of service to make a positive difference in their communities. For more information about Verizon's philanthropic work, visit www.verizonfoundation.org; or for regular updates, visit the Foundation on Facebook (www.facebook.com/verizonfoundation) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/verizongiving).

About Jersey Cares

Jersey Cares is a dynamic nonprofit organization that meets community needs by making volunteering in New Jersey easy and meaningful. Jersey Cares works directly with local nonprofit organizations and schools, identifying their needs and training volunteer leaders to manage projects that address them. Jersey Cares volunteers have provided thousands of hours of service to communities, including: mentoring troubled teens, reaching out to isolated seniors, working with the mentally and physically challenged, restoring the environment and assisting children with their schoolwork. Jersey Cares offers meaningful volunteer opportunities that showcase the rewards of civic engagement and address some of our communities' most serious needs. For more information, please visit www.jerseycares.org. 

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with more than 98 million retail connections nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500.  A Dow 30 company with nearly $116 billion in 2012 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of 183,400.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

Media Contacts:
Lee Gierczynski, 412-633-5574
Ellen Yu, 908-559-2818

Tweet me: #Verizon employees participate in a day of #volunteer work at Seaside Heights elementary school. http://3bl.me/b4py7q @verizongiving

KEYWORDS: Verizon, Hurricane Sandy, volunteer, Jersey Cares, Verizon Foundation, Seaside Heights

SOURCE: 3BL Media, LLC

I absolutely agree that we need to move things forward faster and better and I think about -- one of the things that we’ve got to do is really innovate faster, right.  We’ve got to think about labor and social issues how do we get to solutions quicker?  How do we innovate better and that really means collaborating with others that we might not talk to on their normal circumstances looking beyond is to our company, looking to non-governmental organizations looking to start up a companies.  We’ve really got to be more open because the ideas are coming from everywhere.  And the ideas can get disseminated so quickly given the internet and change in telecommunications that the ideas are out there, we’ve just got to be much more aware and get them into our company into our thinking that’s quicker.  The second thing we’ve got to do is we’ve got to take those ideas and we’ve got to find new partners to implement them.  It’s not just about us and the suppliers that we work with in our supply chain, impacting the lives of workers, it’s all kinds of other people it’s the other brands and retailers that are also working in the same factory that we are, how do we get them involved, you know, how do we get local organizations that maybe, that maybe providing you know education on maternal health to workers in Cambodia.  How do we get them involved?  How do we get more people involved in collaborating, in making an impact for? 

For more on information this and other stories, go to 3blmedia.com

Video Source: “Making More Change Faster” – Michael Kobori, Levi Strauss

Tweet me: Part 2: An Interview with Michael Korbori, @LEVIS "Making More Change Faster" http://3bl.me/9tbzhh #CSR

KEYWORDS: Change, michael korbori, levis, sustainability, csr, CSR Minute, 3bl Media, social issues

SOURCE: Domtar

Cliquez ici pour lire en français

Montreal, March 25, 2012 /3BL Media/ – Joining an ambitious campaign to encourage reading, Domtar Corporation (NYSE: UFS) (TSX: UFS) today announced it will sponsor World Book Night U.S. The effort will distribute 500,000 free books at thousands of locations across America on April 23, 2013.

World Book Night will rely on 25,000 volunteer book lovers, including Domtar staff at two dozen facilities. They will personally hand out specially printed copies of a wide range of books to people who either don’t read frequently or don’t have the means or access to printed books. Domtar’s PAPERbecause campaign will also help spread the word about World Book Night by advertising in media such as The New York Times, Inc., Forbes, Fortune, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Smithsonian, and The Week and Time.

Domtar’s commitment comes as part of its award-winning PAPERbecause campaign (www.paperbecause.com) that showcases paper’s sustainability and enduring value in a digital age.

“World Book Night is a reminder that paper is personal, purposeful and sustainable, and we’re proud to support it” said Paige Goff, Domtar’s Vice-President of Sustainable Business and Brand Management. “Domtar believes in the power and joy of the simple act of reading a printed book, and this is a great way for us to give back to readers around the country.”

“We chose a variety of books about different subjects so that everyone can find something appealing, no matter where they live, what their age, what their backgrounds are or what interests them the most,” said World Book Night U.S. Executive Director Carl Lennertz. “We’re thrilled that Domtar will be working with us and helping get people connected with books they will love to read.”

Tweet me: Global Campaign to Encourage Reading: @DomtarCorp to distribute free books 04-23-2013 #worldbooknight #Domtar http://3bl.me/t792zb

KEYWORDS: Corporate Social Responsibility, Education, Event, Community, Engagement, People, Social Gifting, Social Actions, Domtar, reading

SOURCE: Domtar

See English text here

Montréal, le 25 mars 2013 /3BL Media/ – Domtar Corporation (NYSE: UFS) (TSX: UFS) a annoncé aujourd’hui qu’elle se joignait, à titre de commanditaire, à une campagne ambitieuse, celle du World Book Night U.S (la nuit mondiale du livre). Dans le cadre de cet événement, 500 000 livres seront distribués gratuitement dans des milliers de collectivités américaines le 23 avril prochain.

World Book Night ou la nuit mondiale du livre repose sur l’enthousiasme de 25 000 bénévoles et grands amateurs de lecture, dont des employés de Domtar dans deux douzaines d’établissements. Ces bénévoles remettront des exemplaires tout spécialement imprimés d’une grande variété de livres en mains propres à des personnes qui ne lisent pas fréquemment ou qui ont difficilement accès à des livres imprimés. La campagne « Pourquoi le PAPIER ? » de Domtar répandra la nouvelle au sujet de cet événement en publiant des annonces publicitaires dans des médias tels que le New York Times, Inc., Forbes, Fortune, BusinessWeek, Smithsonian, ainsi que les magazines The Week et Time.

Domtar souscrit à cet événement dans le cadre de sa campagne « Pourquoi le PAPIER ? » (www.pourquoilepapier.com) qui illustre le caractère durable et la valeur du papier en cette ère du numérique.

« La nuit mondiale du livre nous rappelle que le papier est personnel, utile et respectueux de l’environnement, et nous sommes heureux d’appuyer cet événement, a déclaré Paige Goff, vice-présidente des affaires durables et de la gestion de la marque chez Domtar. Domtar croit au pouvoir que confère le simple geste de lire un livre imprimé et à la joie que la lecture procure. C’est donc pour nous une merveilleuse façon d’encourager la lecture à l’échelle des États-Unis. »

Pour sa part, Carl Lennertz, directeur exécutif de World Book Night, a déclaré : « Nous avons choisi toutes sortes de livres, portant sur différents sujets, de façon à ce que tous puissent y trouver leur compte, quels que soient leur âge, leurs antécédents, l’endroit où ils vivent ou leurs centres d’intérêt.   Nous sommes ravis que Domtar travaille avec nous afin d’aider les gens à trouver l’ouvrage qui leur donnera le goût de lire. » 

Tweet me: Campagne mondiale pour la lecture: @DomtarCorp distribuera des livres gratuits 23-04 2013 #worldbooknight #Domtar http://3bl.me/7ks89r

KEYWORDS: Corporate Social Responsibility, Education, Event, Community, Engagement, Positive Change, People, Social Development, Social Gifting, Social Actions, Domtar

SOURCE: Cone Communications

We rarely talk religion on the Prove Your Purpose blog, but the election of Pope Francis, and his focus on poverty and the environment, got us thinking: in a world where 84 percent of the world's population is affiliated with a religion, how does faith impact attitudes and actions in the realm of CSR? Our very own Jillian Wilson Martin shares her findings on the separation (or lack thereof) of church and cause:

Faith is a powerful motivator. It can swing elections, spark protests and start wars. But it can also fuel a tremendous amount of good. People who are affiliated with a religion are more aware of global issues, more generous with their time and money, and more likely to take action on issues they care about.

For many, this starts with what they hear at their place of worship. The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life found that the majority of regular churchgoers (88%) learn about hunger and poverty needs from their clergy, and nearly half (47%) say their leaders speak out on the environment – almost always to encourage environmental protection. Pope Francis began last weekend's inauguration mass by urging followers to,"…be protectors of creation, protectors of God's plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment." Following the tenets of his patron saint, Francis of Assisi, the Jesuit appears committed to pushing an agenda of service and sustainability in the Catholic Church.

To read more on Cone's Prove Your Purpose blog, please click here.

Tweet me: Supporting a Higher Cause: #Religion & #CSR http://3bl.me/xadbmf via @Cone #ConeCSR

KEYWORDS: Environment, Health and Wellness, Religion, Corporate Social Responsibility, csr, Cause, philanthropy, volunteerism

SOURCE: Real Hospitality Group

OCEAN CITY, Md., March 25, 2013 / 3BL Media /PRNewswire/ -- Jami Day, Director of Corporate Responsibility, spoke on a panel in support of the company's ongoing initiatives as an active partner for ECPAT-USA.  The panel discussion was hosted as part of the 2013 United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.  RHG became the first hotel management company in the United States to sign the Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct with ECPAT-USA, a non-profit organization that advocates for policies to protect sexually exploited children.  Day has completed the training initiatives throughout the portfolio of hotels as part of the commitment to ECPAT's initiatives.  "Taking risk management to the next level on this issue is positive for the assets we are tasked with, as well as our guests, our associates and the communities we operate in," comments Jami Day, Director of Corporate Responsibility at Real Hospitality Group.

"As a leader in the hospitality industry, Real Hospitality Group is proud to use our sphere of influence to do whatever we can to pragmatically impact the issue.  As a member of the ECPAT Board of Directors, it was an honor to speak on this panel, and continue our ongoing commitment to ending the trafficking of young women and girls," comments Day.  "We are proud to be an ECPAT Code of Conduct signatory, taking a position of protecting those most vulnerable in our communities and to share RHG's groundbreaking role in taking training from the corporate responsibility statement to the lobby and guest room level in our hotels."

Moderated by Carol Smolenski, Executive Director of ECPAT-USA, the panel was overseen by Mr. Libran N. Cabactulan, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Philippines to the United Nations. The panel was a collaboration with the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility and the NGO Committee to Stop Trafficking in Persons.  ECPAT – USA is actively seeking legislation and continued commitments from businesses in the hospitality and tourism industries to protect the rights of the victims both domestically and internationally. 

About ECPAT-USA

ECPAT-USA, the U.S. arm of ECPAT International, is focused on protecting children trafficked into the U.S., American children trafficked for sexual exploitation, and foreign children exploited by American tourists traveling abroad. ECPAT International is a global network of organizations working together for the elimination of child trafficking, child prostitution and child pornography. The network is comprised of 81 groups in 74 countries around the world. All ECPAT groups are independent grassroots organizations, working to combat child exploitation at the local level. Visit http://www.ECPATUSA.org  for a complete list of research, advocacy, policy, training and education programs ECPAT spearheads in the U.S. and abroad.

About Real Hospitality Group

Real Hospitality Group (RHG) is headquartered in Ocean City, Md., and comprises a team with more than 200 years of combined hospitality and travel industry experience. The Real Hospitality Group portfolio includes 30 hotel properties with an inventory of more than 5,150 rooms in gateway cities that include New York, Philadelphia and locations in Morgantown, West Virginia as well as Glens Falls, Montauk, New York and Ocean City, MD. The company is a recognized service provider for Marriott, Hilton, Starwood, Hyatt, Wyndham, and the Choice Hotels brands as well as a collection of unique independent hotels.  RHG focuses on total service property management, revenue performance and business development for hotels, resorts and investment ownership groups.   For more information, please visit the company website at www.realhospitalitygroup.com.

Copyright 2013 PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved.

Tweet me: Real Hospitality Group's Director of Corporate Responsibility Speaks at the United Nations http://3bl.me/wy3shc #CR

KEYWORDS: ECPAT-USA, Real Hospitality Group, csr, CR, Corporate Responsibility, united nations, status of women

SOURCE: Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc.

In December 2012, Brian P. Kelley assumed the role of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (GMCR) president and CEO, taking over from Lawrence J. Blanford, who led our Company for nearly six years. The two executives sat down for a far-reaching discussion about the business and sustainability, exploring where our Company has been and where we are headed. Excerpts of their conversation are found below. You can read the entire fiscal 2012 sustainability report at www.gmcr.com/sustainability.

Q: How has the GMCR dialogue regarding sustainability changed as the Company has grown and evolved?

LB: The world has become increasingly complex, and companies must be far more proactive and transparent as they respond to broader societal pressures. We’ve been on a tremendous growth track, moving from several hundred million in sales to several billion, from under 1,000 employees to nearly 6,000 employees. As we have grown larger, we have a responsibility to proactively communicate the strategy of our Company.

BK: That’s one of the big opportunities we have because we have people who truly believe in sustainability and believe it’s the right thing to do and that it ultimately will benefit our business too.

Q: Coming into the Company with a fresh perspective, Brian, where do you see GMCR doing well in socially and environmentally responsible business performance, and where do you see the biggest areas of opportunity for us?

BK: We do really well on strategic impact. If you look at the entire supply chain, as well as how we integrate sustainability into our products, every program we have is designed to be more sustainable for the consumer in one area or another. The impact we’re able to make on our local communities and the impact we’re making on our employee base — it’s authentic, it’s real, and the impact gets greater as we grow.

I haven’t seen a company with this kind of genuine, integrated sustainability commitment. It’s one of the key elements that attracts people to us, and it’s one of the elements that attracts consumers to our brands. That’s really our opportunity: How do we stay in the lead and continue to stay on the leading edge.

Q: What industry challenges are coming down the road in the next five years?

BK: I think the resource shortage is real, no matter what resource you look at — whether it’s access to water, access to energy, or access to land. Resource scarcity is a concern in terms of how we buy products, how they’re shipped, how they’re consumed, and what happens with the products at the end of their life cycles. Is there a clear path for getting that product back to useful life again in some other form? I think there are lots of opportunities in front of us.

LB: Historically, we’ve been very focused on one primary commodity — coffee — and ensuring that the world and GMCR have adequate supplies going forward when faced with climate change impacts or political risks. But now we’re moving from coffee to apples, strawberries, cocoa beans, tea, and a host of other ingredients that have their own supply chains. While we understand the coffee supply chain pretty well, we’re only beginning to understand how we facilitate the sustainability of our other supply chains and ensure high-quality supplies for our business going forward.

On the brewer side, the supply chain continues to become more complicated in that we are moving from one manufacturer with one platform in one country to multiple platforms, with multiple manufacturers in multiple countries. The opportunity for us to continue to think about sustainability on our supply chain side continues to expand exponentially and will be very challenging.

Q: Do you see opportunities for increased industry action in some of these areas?

BK: It’s hard to prompt industry action if you’re not doing it yourself - that’s Principle Number One. The second piece is you can’t do much on your own. Things work better when you work as a team and you collaborate. Whether it’s between us and our industry, or between us and governments or NGOs, there are lots of opportunities out there.

LB: One of the principles we’ve tried to use at our Company is to let science and facts guide our initiatives, as opposed to emotion. We also build credibility as we go forward by carefully picking those areas where we can truly make a difference. And there are only a few areas where we can uniquely be that leader. Packaging is certainly one of them and coffee supply chain is another. By focusing our efforts, we can develop a leadership position and help move the industry.

BK: And all the while we must recognize that there’s a lot out there that we still don’t know and there are others who know a lot more than we do. I think that’s been the spirit all along: we don’t know everything, but we can learn quickly.  Participation in multi-stakeholder initiatives is a key way in which to inform ourselves and contribute to the growing base of knowledge on the intersection of business and sustainability.  Our participation in the United Nations Global Compact and commitment to the integration of UNGC principles into our business is one example.

Tweet me: Green Mountain Coffee Roasters CEOs tackle the hard #sustainability questions in recent report-See their answers http://3bl.me/mzydz3 #csr Contact Info:

Laura Peterson
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc.
+1 (802) 488-2459
laura.peterson@gmcr.com

KEYWORDS: Business & Trade, People, Social Action & Community Engagement, Reporting, Ratings & Rankings, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Brian Kelley, Lawrence Blanford, CEO, discussion, sustainabilty, Q&A, Report

SOURCE: Caesars Foundation

JOLIET, Ill. and LAS VEGAS, March 22, 2013 /3BL Media/ -- The Caesars Foundation awarded a $15,000 grant to The Disabled Patriot Fund in Orland Park, IL.  The funds will be used to assist in the staggering financial needs of returning veterans providing daily essentials such as housing or medical and financial assistance.  A formal check presentation will be held at Harrah's Joliet Casino & Hotel on March 20th on behalf of The Caesars Foundation and The Disabled Patriot Fund.

"We all know someone – a family member, a friend, a neighbor or perhaps ourselves – who has served," said Nicole Fields , Internet Marketing Specialist, Harrah's Joliet Casino & Hotel. "I know that America's warriors face many challenges when they return home.  Organizations such as The Disabled Patriot Fund have been our neighbors and steadfast supporters of veterans in our community for many years.  In times of need, it is our duty to continue to support their causes.  The Caesars Foundation is proud to donate $15,000 to such an important service and show our commitment to the men and women who serve and protect our country."

Caesars Entertainment and The Caesars Foundation have made a strong commitment to helping employees and the communities in which they operate. Community support is an integral part of the future success of the company.

"We are humbled by such a generous gift and grateful to our friends at the Caesars Foundation and Harrah's Joliet," said Pat McShane , president of The Disabled Patriot Fund.  "With economic and fundraising challenges, the Caesars Foundation has come through to help us to continue to provide financial assistance to local veterans.  We thank them for honoring America's military members and for supporting our efforts to ensure their sacrifices and stories will always be remembered." 

About Caesars Entertainment 
Caesars Entertainment, through its network of 52 casinos worldwide, provides unmatched leisure offerings to suit every interest, from the legendary entertainment line-up of The Colosseum at Caesars Palace to the dynamic World Series of Poker. Caesars is the world's most geographically diversified casino-entertainment company. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada, more than 74 years ago, Caesars has grown through development of new resorts, expansions and acquisitions; operations now span four continents with nearly 40 casino-resorts across North America. The company's resorts operate primarily under the Harrah's®, Caesars® and Horseshoe® brand names. Caesars also owns the World Series of Poker® and the London Clubs International family of casinos. Through Total Rewards, the country's leading entertainment loyalty program, Caesars Entertainment is focused on building loyalty and value with its guests through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership. For more information, please visit Caesars.com.

About The Disabled Patriot Fund
Founded in 2004, The Disabled Patriot Fund is an all-volunteer group of business people from the south suburbs. They provide financial assistance for disabled military veterans for purposes such as helping with general living expenses, health care expenses, education, purchasing vans and hand-controlled vehicles, and retrofitting homes for accessibility. For more information about The Disabled Patriot Fund, or to make a donation, visit http://disabledpatriotfund.com/.

Tweet me: Caesars Foundation awarded a $15,000 grant to The Disabled Patriot Fund in Orland Park, IL http://3bl.me/t65rss

KEYWORDS: caesars foundation, Disabled Patriot Fund, csr, Grants, America's Warriors, Orland Park, IL

SOURCE: Skype

03/20/2013 in Social Good by Andrew Schmidt

As the talk continued, very quickly the subject moved onto school work and projects each classroom had been working on. Students at both schools had recently created artwork to support Peace Day and they showed it to one another on the video screen and offered to mail the artwork to each other to keep in their respective classrooms. From the art exchange, came the idea for a student exchange and teachers in both classrooms enthusiastically said they would work towards making it happen.  As Jeremy concluded the PeaceTalk, he remarked at feeling a sense that the connection between Stretford High School and Instituto Educativo Olinca would continue beyond his visit. Jeremy said, “I am touched that Peace One Day’s PeaceTalk could be the project that brought these young people together.”

Tweet me: From Mexico City to Manchester, @Skype & @PeaceOneDay Host Student #SkypeTalks http://3bl.me/fs4vd5 #education #edtech

KEYWORDS: Eco-Living, Consumption & Travel, Education, Fashion & Apparel, Marketing, Media & Communications, People, Social Action & Community Engagement, Technology. Innovation & Solutions, English, language, Mexico, Mexico City, Skype, skype for peace, Skype in the classroom, Spanish, UK, Manchester, video call, peace one day, Teachers, Culture, peace, classroom, Educators, video calling, Jeremy Gilley

SOURCE: 3BL Media, LLC

By Kathy Chamberlain

We are all impatient about the pace of social change. Some recent UnSectored posts have referred to the idea of building movements for change, whether indirectly or directly, and these posts have alluded to the long and difficult process of creating the change we wish to see in society. Despite what progress may have been made, we always want these changes to happen faster. But during these times of waiting and frustration, we need to remind ourselves that creating real and lasting social change can take decades, if not centuries.

I recently attended a talk given by historian Eric Foner on social movements and political change. He began by referencing the movie, Lincoln, stating that while it was a generally accurate depiction of the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment, one of the main things the movie got wrong was not portraying the fuller historical context. There was no sense of the role that grassroots social movements played in moving the slavery issue forward politically, specifically the role of the Abolitionists in agitating an end to slavery. For Foner, the work of the Abolitionists is a useful template for later American social movements, from women’s rights to labor rights to civil rights. We can learn valuable lessons about the long arc of change by looking at their example.

An important strategy within this framework is to constantly challenge the framing of what were previously accepted ideas, and by doing so change the public discourse. Foner stated that “the way to change things is to change public sentiment . . . and that happens by putting forth new and radical ideas” relentlessly and through multiple methods. The Abolitionists did everything they could to get their ideas into the public discourse using multiple outlets, which pushed the conversation into more liberal territory, thereby allowing Lincoln to appear more moderate.

While the character of political leaders is important, another strategy of successful social movements is to not tie themselves to political leaders or parties. While the Abolitionists worked with various political figures, they did not become part of any political establishment. (Think of them as the original cross-sector collaborators!) By standing apart from the system and fighting in the realm of ideas, eventually their ideas moved from the fringes to the center. In our own context, think of what was conventional wisdom 30 years ago regarding the roles of women, of people of color and of those in the LGBTQ community in our society, and how radical groups have pushed us to re-consider our norms.

Most importantly, Abolitionists taught us that groups within movements should link up with other groups that may not have obvious connections to realize a broader idea of what is necessary to achieve success. Sometimes members of a coalition can be strange bedfellows who would not even speak to each other otherwise, but as long as each group sees an interest in reaching the agreed upon goal, and are willing to put in the work to achieve that goal, victories can happen. Facilitating these interactions is a primary goal for UnSectored and we hope to be a place where those connections can be made amongst disparate individuals.

In taking lessons from social movements, we see that the key to the future is being willing and patient to “play the long game.” We are the ones who have the power to create the future we want to see, in our organizations, in our communities and in our systems. Being “unsectored” means creating the spaces to bring interested people together to make meaning of the new ideas that are becoming a larger part of public conversations, and discuss how those ideas are changing the terms of the public debates. We are creating and continuing the conversations that are necessary to make change real, relevant and lasting. Creating change requires a sustained effort and we should not feel daunted when we encounter many day-to-day barriers and failures.

In President Obama’s second inaugural address, he stated “We the people declare today that the most evident of truth that all of us are created equal – is the star that guides us still; just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls and Selma and Stonewall . . .” Think of how long it took for each of those social movements to gain momentum and create a lasting impact. Think of the grassroots organizing required to involve all levels of society in agitating for change. When looking at the movements you currently are involved in or the change you are trying to create, are you actively breaking down silos and bringing more people into the fold? Are you spreading your ideas beyond your comfort zones to new populations that might not have been exposed to or fully understand your ideas? Keep your eyes on the long-term prize, because the change you seek may not happen in your lifetime but instead that of your children, or your children’s children.

Tweet me: .@UnSectored discusses challenging already accepted ideas http://3bl.me/2gwa4f #change public discourse #CSR

KEYWORDS: Change, csr, Unsectored, ideas, Innovation, sustainability, creation, social movements, political change

SOURCE: Corporate Citizenship

In their report ‘Inclusive Business - The Next Frontier for Corporate Responsibility’, Corporate Citizenship has analysed a number of multinational companies’ Inclusive Business models in emerging and developing markets. The report gives comment and analysis into the motivations behind various business models, the role of partnerships, financing, profitability, and challenges. Corporate Citizenship has conducted interviews with a number of multinationals such as SABMiller, Heineken and Interface, and intermediaries like International Finance Corporation (IFC) to offer insight into the experiences of companies already using Inclusive Business models to grow in these markets.

In an increasingly competitive world, public and stakeholder expectations of businesses’ roles within the societies continue to rise. Today’s global companies are increasingly judged on the actual social and economic value they create through their core business activities. Leading multinationals have started to recognise the powerful potential of Inclusive Business models. The term is widely defined as profitable core business activity that expands opportunities for the marginalised and disadvantaged. These business models engage the marginalised as employees, suppliers, distributors or consumers.

Our research shows that the opportunities presented by Inclusive Business for global companies are significant. It can drive product and service innovation, provide access to new markets, help differentiation from competitors and strengthen brand reputation. With regards to supply chain, benefits include cost reductions and secured access to critical raw materials.    

In the report, Corporate Citizenship has identified ten steps companies should take when exploring and building Inclusive Business models. For example, companies should evaluate the socio-economic impact of their operations in a given market, identifying where across the value chain socio-economic benefits could be further enhanced. Companies should focus on their core competencies and strengths - how can they be applied to address societal and development challenges through core business activities?.

Finally, our research shows that, when companies get it right, Inclusive Business is a successful growth strategy for operating and expanding in emerging and developing economies. At Corporate Citizenship, we see Inclusive Business as the next frontier and the way forward for sustainable businesses looking to take traditional CSR to the next level. 

Tweet me: Inclusive Business- The next frontier for #CR http://3bl.me/9bet6t

KEYWORDS: csr, CR, Corporate Responsibility, Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate Citizenship, inclusive business, emerging market, Research

SOURCE: Lincoln Financial Group

March 22, 2013 /3BL Media/ - Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE:LNC) announces that Allison Green, senior vice president and chief diversity officer, has been named to the 2013 list of the “25 Most Influential Black Women in Business”  by The Network Journal (TNJ), a business magazine with an audience of predominantly African-American professionals, corporate executives and business owners.

"We’re fortunate to have a dynamic leader like Allison Green taking our diversity and inclusion efforts to new levels,” said Lisa Buckingham, executive vice president and chief human resources officer, brand and enterprise communications for Lincoln Financial Group. “Beyond her corporate success, though, she plays an active role as a mentor and advisor with several local nonprofit organizations, striving to help others—particularly youth—realize their true potential. She is very deserving of this award.”

The annual award is open to black women who exude professionalism and who are committed to providing leadership in their community. A candidate must be nominated by another individual and should be a very senior executive with significant decision making authority in their organization.  TNJ’s Awards Review Board makes the final selection.

“This year’s honorees, including Allison Green, are a particularly special class, one that marks the 15th consecutive year that we have presented these awards,” said TNJ Publisher and CEO Aziz Gueye Adetimirin. “We are so proud of them, as we are proud of all of our past honorees, because they help our community to lift its head so much higher.”

Since joining Lincoln Financial in 2009, Green has been responsible for the diversity and inclusion strategy, and the oversight of the company’s practices in this area. She has nearly 20 years of corporate and management consulting experience, and previously served as corporate director of diversity for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and The Vanguard Group. Green earned a B.A. in Psychology at Spelman College and an M.A. in Counseling Psychology at Howard University.

For more information on Lincoln Financial’s diversity and inclusion activities, please visit our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/lincolnfinancialgroup

About Lincoln Financial Group

Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) and its affiliates. With headquarters in the Philadelphia region, the companies of Lincoln Financial Group had assets under management of $178 billion as of December 31, 2012. Through its affiliated companies, Lincoln Financial Group offers: annuities; life, group life, disability and dental insurance; employer-sponsored retirement plans; savings plans; and comprehensive financial planning and advisory services.

For more information, including a copy of our most recent SEC reports containing our balance sheets, please visit www.lincolnfinancial.com.

About The Network Journal

Founded in 1993, The Network Journal (TNJ) is an award-winning magazine published six times a year. It provides news and commentary on issues that affect the growth of business and the advancement of professionals in the workplace for an audience of predominantly African-American professionals, corporate executives and small-business owners. Engaging more than 98,000 readers per issue, The Network Journal is distributed nationwide, with a focus on the New York tri-state area, while its sister daily publication at tnj.com reaches a global audience.

###

Media Contacts:   

Holly Fair

Lincoln Financial Group

484-583-1632

holly.fair@lfg.com

Tweet me: Lincoln Financial Group's Allison Green named one of 25 Most Influential Black Women in Business. http://3bl.me/gmw9wg

KEYWORDS: Business & Trade, Human Resources, People, Social Action & Community Engagement, The Network Journal, diversity, Lincoln Financial Group, Influential, black women, Business, Allison Green

SOURCE: UPS

The UPS Foundation, which is responsible for facilitating community involvement to local, national and global communities, has led UPS's corporate citizenship efforts for more than 60 years. In 2010, UPS and its employees, active and retired, invested more than $95 million in charitable giving around the world. The UPS Foundation can be found on the web at UPS.com/foundation. To learn about UPS's sustainability program and commitment to the environment, go to ups.com/sustainability.

Tweet me: MNN Blog: #UPS Foundation gives more than $1 million in case and in-kind donations to #CARE. http://3bl.me/wqbacf #charity @UPS

KEYWORDS: UPS Foundation, Charity, CARE, Kenya

SOURCE: GlaxoSmithKline

Hot off the presses! GSK just issued its 2012 Corporate Responsibility (CR) report. If you don't have time to devour all 75 pages, then allow me to quickly share my top five favorite achievements:

Tweet me: .@gskus issues its #CR report. Check out the top 5 achievements. http://3bl.me/rknher #CSR

KEYWORDS: CR Report, Corporate Responsibility, GSK, GlaxoSmithKine, Access to Medicines, Innovation, access to healthcare, AllTrials campaign, Transparency, R&D

SOURCE: Hershey Company

‘A Watershed Moment for Our Industry to Work Together With Cocoa Growing Nations to Increase Opportunities for Farmers’

HERSHEY, Pa., March 21, 2013 /3BL Media/ — During the past half-century, The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) has helped family cocoa farmers and communities develop more productive agriculture practices, build educational and community resources, and improve labor practices. The company is now expanding these initiatives to modernize cocoa farming to increase farmer incomes, attract new farmers and improve cocoa growing communities.    

Today, Hershey announces its “21St Century Cocoa Plan,” a roadmap for how the company will work to help cocoa communities around the world grow sustainable cocoa for the next century.  Hershey will combine its responsible sourcing practices to expand the supply of sustainable cocoa while investing in community programs that improve education and the livelihoods of cocoa-growing families around the world.

“Cocoa is at the heart of our business and we care deeply that this key ingredient is grown in a safe, healthy and sustainable manner,” said John P. Bilbrey, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Hershey Company. “Through our Hershey 21St Century Cocoa Plan, we are taking meaningful and measurable steps and making a positive difference in the health and well-being of cocoa communities.

“This is a watershed moment for our industry to work together with cocoa growing nations to increase opportunities for farmers through better training, financing and community development. The complexity of the challenges requires us to work together with a focused plan.”

100% Certified Sustainable Cocoa
A cornerstone of Hershey’s 21St Century Cocoa Plan is its commitment to source 100 percent third-party certified cocoa for all of its chocolate products worldwide by 2020.

Certified cocoa is verified by independent auditors who assess against established standards for labor, environmental and sustainable farming practices.

With about five percent of the world’s cocoa supply certified at the end of 2012 and the need for certified cocoa growing, Hershey believes its 2020 commitment – announced last October – is already helping expand the global supply of certified cocoa. 

Hershey has already committed to source cocoa through three of the world’s most recognized cocoa certifying organizations: UTZ, Fairtrade USA and Rainforest Alliance.  As Hershey’s buying volume increases, the company will be working with other well-established certification organizations to expand their capacity to certify more cocoa farmers globally.

2020 Certified Cocoa Milestones 

In the five months since announcing its 100 percent third-party certified cocoa commitment, Hershey has made substantial progress towards its 2020 goals. The company is on track to source at least 10 percent of its total global cocoa purchases from certified sources in 2013, the first year of its 2020 commitment.  Hershey also announced benchmarks for reaching 100 percent by 2020. The company has committed to scaling its certified cocoa purchases at the following rate:

• At least 10 percent by the end of 2013
• 40 to 50 percent by the end of 2016
• 100 percent by 2020

The company will continue to provide updates on its certified cocoa progress throughout the next seven years as part of its ongoing CSR reporting.   

Accelerating CocoaLink

The Hershey 21St Century Cocoa Plan also includes accelerating and expanding its innovative and successful CocoaLink mobile phone program, which the company launched in 2011 in Ghana with the Ghana Cocoa Board and the World Cocoa Foundation. In 2013, the program will expand into Cote d’Ivoire, a major cocoa-producing country.

CocoaLink is a first-of-its kind program that uses mobile technology to deliver practical agricultural and social training to rural cocoa farmers at no cost. Today, more than nine in 10 Ghanaian cocoa farmers have access to a mobile phone. Since launching in Ghana in July 2011, CocoaLink has:

• Registered more than 16,000 cocoa farmers – about 35 percent of whom are women – in 550 communities across Ghana’s cocoa growing sector,
• Provided 300,000 SMS messages in the local language on topics that include pruning, planting, fertilizer application, spraying, children’s issues and insect control, and
• Addressed high illiteracy levels through community literacy training.

Hershey Development Center Enhances Cocoa Traceability and Certification

The HERSHEY LEARN TO GROW farmer and family development center, launched in 2012 in Assin Fosu in Ghana’s central cocoa region, will now play an important role in Hershey’s overall sustainable cocoa plans.

The center, created in partnership with Source Trust, a non-profit organization set up to help farmers improve their livelihoods through better crop yields and quality, will provide Hershey with verified cocoa that can be traced back to the individual farm level.                                                                

HERSHEY LEARN TO GROW and 25 participating community-based farmer organizations help improve the living standards of 1,250 cocoa farm families through good agricultural, environmental, social and business practices training; access to improved planting material; and finance for farm inputs with the goal to double productivity yield and farm income over four years. More than 50 percent of farm family income in this region comes from cocoa. More than 6,000 community members will be impacted by the program.

The HERSHEY LEARN TO GROW farmer and family development center has also brought high-tech learning to the rural farm village. Last year, Hershey launched a distance learning program that allows approximately 80 middle school students in classrooms on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean to connect through real-time, high-definition technology that creates a common, virtual classroom experience.  Students in Assin Fosu connect to students from the Milton Hershey School in Hershey, Pa., to share learning and cultural experiences.

The technology is also used to train local cocoa farmers on good agricultural, environmental and social practices and to benefit the wider community.

Accelerating Change to Improve Lives

Hershey’s 21St Century Cocoa Plan represents a range of on-the-ground programs and initiatives that work together to accelerate positive change in the cocoa growing regions over the next seven years. For example, in Mexico, Hershey and cocoa supplier Agroindustrias Unidas de Cacao  SA de CV have launched the Mexico Cocoa Project, a 10-year initiative to reintroduce cocoa growing in southern Mexico and help restore the country’s cocoa crop after it had been nearly decimated by the spread of a disease known as frosty pod rot. Through the distribution of disease-tolerant trees, the program intends to improve the livelihoods of more than 1,000 cocoa farmers and their families in the region and quadruple family incomes.

Through its own and partner programs, Hershey estimates the total portfolio of programs encompassed by its 21St Century Cocoa Plan will directly impact 750,000 cocoa farmers and indirectly benefit more than two million West Africans through utilization of technology, farmer training on good agricultural practice, cocoa seed nurseries and planting material, farm inputs on credit, village resource centers, malaria prevention, community infrastructure, village school construction, and literacy and health programs.

Hershey will regularly update its progress on the Hershey’s 21St Century Cocoa Plan and its various programs through its Corporate Social Responsibility public reporting and on its website.

Tweet me: Hershey announces “21st Century Cocoa Plan” to help #cocoa communities grow #sustainable cocoa for the next century http://3bl.me/av4d9h

KEYWORDS: Environment, People, Social Action & Community Engagement, Technology. Innovation & Solutions, cocoa certification, Cocoa Communities, Cocoa Livelihoods, cocoalink, sustainable cocoa

SOURCE: AT&T

BOSTON, Mass, March 21, 2013 /3BL Media/ - City Year, a national organization that unites young people for a year of service in high-need urban schools, is teaming up with AT&T to help keep students in school and on track to succeed.

AT&T has contributed nearly $1.2 million to help support City Year’s year-round work in schools, including the organization’s role in an innovative partnership designed to help turn around the nation’s most challenged schools. City Year’s Diplomas Now partnership includes City Year, Communities In Schools, and Johns Hopkins Talent Development Secondary.

AT&T’s contribution will support students in Chicago, IL, Columbus, OH, Little Rock, AR, Los Angeles, and Sacramento, CA

“Through Aspire, we are driving innovation in education  by supporting proven programs that address the high school dropout crisis,” said Beth Adcock Shiroishi, Vice President of Sustainability and Philanthropy, AT&T. “The Diplomas Now program brings together three leading dropout prevention organizations and their combined impact will help even more students succeed.”

“Every 26 seconds a student drops out of high school in America – and City Year corps members serve where the need is greatest,” said City Year CEO and Co-Founder Michael Brown. “Young adults – who are near-peers to the students they serve and highly motivated to get results – can help them get back on track.  We are deeply grateful to AT&T for their generous investment that will support highly-talented, idealistic young adults who invest a year of service in high-need, urban schools.”

The funding will support four City Year sites in Little Rock and five in Sacramento and additionally will be used to impact students in four schools where Diplomas Now is in place – Thomas Jefferson High School and Manual Arts Senior High School in Los Angeles, Linden McKinley STEM Academy in Columbus, and John Hope College Preparatory High School in Chicago. A total of 1,300 students will receive direct support, including academic and social-emotional interventions for rising tenth grade students provided by a team of City Year corps members as part of their year of service. In addition, the contribution will support:

• an early warning system that identifies students who are falling off track and allows teachers and corps members the opportunity to intervene;
• a personalized learning environment with inter-disciplinary teacher teams;
• instructional programs that are linked to college readiness standards; and
• high school readiness courses and intensive case management for the students with the highest needs.

The funding for the sites in Little Rock and Sacramento will be used to deploy U.S. AmeriCorps members as tutors, mentors and role models. All City Year corps members proudly serve as AmeriCorps members, a federal program that deploys community volunteers and full-time national service members to meet pressing local challenges.

The support is part of AT&T Aspire, AT&T’s $350 million commitment to education. With more than 1 million students impacted since its launch in 2008, the AT&T Aspire program is one of the nation’s largest corporate commitments focused on helping more students graduate from high school ready for college and careers.  AT&T Aspire drives innovation in education through investing locally in organizations making a measureable difference in stemming the high school dropout crisis; connecting people through its employees and customers; and seeking exponential change through national partnerships and technology and innovation.

In 24 U.S. cities and through two international affiliates, City Year corps members, diverse 17-24 year olds who dedicate a year of service in high-need schools, serve as tutors, mentors and role models for students who need extra care and attention. Wearing their signature red jackets, diverse teams of City Year AmeriCorps arrive before the bell rings and stay until the last student goes home—helping to transform a school’s culture with targeted interventions, passion, energy and idealism.

The Diplomas Now initiative unites three organizations – Johns Hopkins Talent Development Secondary, City Year and Communities In Schools, which all have proven track records of improving school success and student achievement, to create a pioneering secondary school partnership focused on meeting the holistic needs of all students in grades 6 through 12. The partnership uses real-time student performance data to identify the students that need help, and to determine the most effective interventions to support them.

About City Year: City Year is an education-focused, nonprofit organization founded in 1988 that partners with public schools to provide full-time targeted intervention for students most at risk of dropping out.  In more than 20 communities across the United States and through two international affiliates, our teams of young AmeriCorps leaders support students by focusing on attendance, behavior, and course performance through in-class tutoring, mentoring, and after school programs that keep kids in school and on track to graduate.

About Philanthropy at AT&T: AT&T Inc. is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives, AT&T has a long history of supporting projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. In 2012, more than $131 million was contributed through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs.

© 2013 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies.

Tweet me: AT&T contributed nearly $1.2M to help @CityYear turn around America's most challenged schools & help students graduate http://3bl.me/a5nw3y

KEYWORDS: Education, Human Resources, People, Social Action & Community Engagement, Technology. Innovation & Solutions, AT&T Aspire, AT&T, sustainability, csr, Corporate Responsibility, Graduation, graduation rates, High School Graduation, City Year, philanthropy, Contribution, Donation, grant, College Readiness, career readiness, Beth Shiroishi, Michael Brown, Chicago, Columbus, Little Rock, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Illinois, Ohio, Arkansas, California

SOURCE: Abbott

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, founder of the Clinton Foundation, toured the new 18,000-square-foot Nourimanba nutrition facility in Haiti built by Abbott and the Abbott Fund for the nonprofit organization Partners In Health (PIH). 

"I want to thank Abbott and the Abbott Fund for the nutrition facility that we just toured, which will produce Nourimanba, a therapeutic food to treat severe malnutrition, at very high standards of quality," said President Bill Clinton. "This is going to make a big difference."

To see more of President Clinton's tour of the facility, visit www.partnershipinhaiti.org.

The President was in Haiti with an agricultural investment delegation to visit sites highlighting Haiti’s agricultural sector. Located in Haiti's Central Plateau, the new PIH facility highlights the connection between local production and local agriculture. The facility will source peanuts from local farms to produce Nourimanba, a therapeutic food to treat severe malnutrition. Distributed for free through PIH’s network of health facilities, Nourimanba provides life-saving treatment to thousands of Haitian children.

More than 50 Abbott experts in science, manufacturing, engineering, marketing and many other areas oversaw the design and construction of the facility, developed and refined product formulations and created strategic operating plans. PIH’s expertise in health care and agriculture, and a deep understanding of Haitian communities, ensures the partnership meets local needs.

Expanding economic and agricultural development is a key focus of the partnership. Through the facility, PIH will produce food products locally, providing an example of how to encourage local production to reduce Haiti’s reliance on imported foods. Local staff will manage operations, and PIH and Abbott will provide extensive training to transfer skills and build local capacity.

In addition, the partnership is supporting a pilot agricultural program for area farmers, implemented with TechnoServe and PIH’s local partner organizations, Zanmi Lasante and Zanmi Agrikol. The program offers training, financing and support for 400 local farmers to provide a reliable source of high quality peanuts for the facility, while boosting farmer incomes. 

To find out more about the partnership in Haiti – including videos, interviews and more – click here.

Tweet me: VIDEO: Hear what Pres. Clinton had to say about innovative new program in Haiti http://3bl.me/fxet2v

KEYWORDS: Business & Trade, Food & Farming, Health and Wellness, People, Social Action & Community Engagement, malnutrition, Haiti, Partnership, social enterprise, Corporate Responsibility

SOURCE: CITGO Petroleum Corporation

HOUSTON, March 21, 2013 / 3BL Media /PRNewswire/ -- CITGO Petroleum Corporation and Houston-based CITGO Marketer, Sun Coast Resources, organized a surprise donation for the Houston Furniture Bank in honor of its commitment to "furnishing hope by making empty houses homes." Together, the two companies presented furniture collected by Sun Coast Resources employees and $500 in CITGO Gift Cards at the Houston CITGO Marketer Meeting on March 5, 2013.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130321/PH80581 )

"We have identified a crucial need for families transitioning into independent living situations, and we are working hard to meet that need by collecting and distributing furniture to families without the means to purchase beds, appliances or even kitchen tables," said Oli Mohammed, founder and executive director of the program. "We are so surprised and so honored by these generous gifts from Sun Coast Resources and CITGO. The substantial donation of CITGO gasoline will help us deliver all of the furniture that Sun Coast Resources has collected for us, and it will help us break this vicious cycle of poverty."

The Houston Furniture Bank provides furniture at no cost to families struggling to make ends meet due to natural disasters, impoverishment, addiction or catastrophic health issues. Recipients are referred by more than 75 social service agencies in the Greater Houston area. Since its founding more than 20 years ago, the Houston Furniture Bank has collected almost a quarter of a million pieces of donated furniture and delivered them to more than 23,000 families in need in the greater Houston metropolitan area.

"We at Sun Coast Resources strongly support CITGO and its commitment to recognizing those who are Fueling Good in local communities, and we are pleased to help honor the Houston Furniture Bank for doing just that," said Kathy Lehne, founder and CEO at Sun Coast Resources. "We often take for granted the most basic necessities, including the furniture that we use to spend time with our families, whether it is sharing meals, reading bedtime stories or playing together. The Houston Furniture Bank has recognized the importance of these items, and has provided beds for more than 50,000 children."

CITGO, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by PDV America, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information visit www.CITGO.com.

Copyright 2013 PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved.

Tweet me: Sun Coast Resources and #CITGO Help the Houston Furniture Bank Keep "Fueling Good" http://3bl.me/np5gvb #CSR

KEYWORDS: CITGO Petroleum Corporation, Fueling Good, Houston Furniture Bank, csr, Sun Coast Resources

SOURCE: Children International

KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 21, 2013 /3BL Media /PRNewswire/ - World Water Day is March 22, and the children and youth of Children International are celebrating around the world. They know firsthand the difference clean, accessible water can make in their lives.

Tweet me: World Water Day: Especially Meaningful for Youth Working to Provide Clean Water to Others With Children International http://3bl.me/a6cned

KEYWORDS: Children's international, world water day, Youth, clean water