3BL Media Social Action

SOURCE: United Nations Global Compact

Copenhagen/New York, 30 May 2013 /3BL Media/ – Realdania and the United Nations Global Compact today announced their collaboration to accelerate the transition to global sustainability through mutual projects and network facilitation in the areas of social investment, catalytic philanthropy and private sustainability financing.

As part of the new partnership the UN Global Compact announced the appointment of Flemming Borreskov to the honorary role of Special Advisor on Foundations. Mr. Borreskov will work with the Global Compact to develop close relationships and opportunities for collaboration with foundations and other stakeholders in the philanthropic sector. He will help to make the case for sustainable development and advocate on behalf of relevant Global Compact platforms, in particular the Principles for Social Investment.

Flemming Borreskov is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Realdania in Denmark. He is President to the International Federation for Housing and Planning and the Danish Architecture Centre (DAC) and holds a number of Danish board positions (Chairman of the Board at Real-dania Byg, Realdania By and Carlsberg Byen Group.) Mr. Borreskov holds various international positions of trust including as Governing Council Member of the European Foundation Centre and as Founding Partner Board Member of Sustainia. UN Global Compact is partner to the Sustainia initiative launched at Rio+20 last year.

“Philanthropy can and should be a fundamental, proactive player in finding solutions to our world’s most pressing problems. Philanthropy and the UN Global Compact share many of the same values and goals and I believe the partnership will lead to greater collaboration and engagement to advance the sustainability agenda and drive sustainable development and corporate responsibility more into the mainstream,” states Realdania CEO Flemming Borreskov.

The two organizations will leverage their networks and matchmaking competencies to help ensure that philanthropic investments not only contribute to a specific cause but also take into account a wide range of sustainability issues. By providing philanthropic expertise, networks and resources to companies, philanthropists will have the opportunity to drive change in the private sector and ensure that globalization advances in ways that benefit economies and societies everywhere.

More than 7,000 business participants from 140 countries have now committed to the Global Compact and to embed sustainability throughout their operations. Yet corporate responsibility has not yet reached critical mass, and greater efforts are required to support the pioneers in scaling up and advancing the sustainability agenda. The new partnership will pave the way for increased cooperation and understanding between the UN Global Compact, philanthropy and the corporate world.

About Realdania
Realdania is a philanthropic association supporting projects in the built environment, striving to create value through development and change, dialogue and knowledge, partnerships and networks and by taking initiative and being proactive. Realdania became a signatory of the UN Global Compact in 2011, is a member of the Governing Council of the European Foundation Centre and is an associated member of the American Council on Foundations. www.realdania.dk

About the United Nations Global Compact

Launched in 2000, the United Nations Global Compact is both a policy platform and a practical framework for companies that are committed to sustainability and responsible business practices. As a multi-stakeholder leadership initiative, it seeks to align business operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and to catalyze actions in support of broader UN goals. With more than 7,000 corporate signatories in over 135 countries, it is the world’s largest voluntary corporate sustainability initiative. www.unglobalcompact.org

Tweet me: New partnership between Realdania & @globalcompact to engage #philanthropy in corporate #sustainability movement http://3bl.me/zsf3t4 Contact Info:

Kristen Coco
United Nations Global Compact
+1 (917) 288-0787
cocok@un.org

Simon Oxby
Realdania
+1-4570116666
sox@realdania.dk

KEYWORDS: Technology. Innovation & Solutions, UN Global Compact, Realdania, foundations, philanthropy, Corporate Sustainability, united nations, sustainability

SOURCE: Eli Lilly and Company

Guest blog from Lilly's Vice President of Global Health Programs and Access, Dr. Evan Lee. 

It was a busy week in Geneva with a multitude of delegates and other groups gathered for the 66th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization. Among the many issues on the agenda, attendees reviewed proposed global targets to reduce rates of leading non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, as well as an action plan for mental health. Targets are a great way to encourage countries to step up efforts against diseases that badly strain health care systems and hamper economic development. With NCDs claiming 35 million lives each year, we should certainly be driving our work with a sense of urgency and purpose.

In order to hit any targets in developing countries, practically speaking, we need to build capacity for effective, data-driven NCD prevention and control programs. This is a focus of our work with local partners in India, South Africa, Mexico and Brazil through the Lilly NCD Partnership.

Read more from Dr. Lee on the prevention and control of NCDs

Tweet me: Check out Dr. Evan Lee's latest blog from @WHO's #WHA66 on international stakeholders are working to reduce #NCDs http://ow.ly/lmBnv

KEYWORDS: Health and Wellness, The Lilly NCD Partnership, diabetes, World Health Organization (WHO), World Health Assembly, Eli Lilly and Company

SOURCE: TransCanada

As a member of the Oklahoma community, TransCanada extends its condolences to the family and friends of those who lost their lives in the powerful storms that struck the Oklahoma City area on May 20.

We are proud to help support the relief efforts in a small way through a $25,000 donation to the American Red Cross, the nation’s premier emergency response organization, in support of emergency response and preparedness in the Central Oklahoma region.

Last Saturday, the company also donated food and TransCanada staff volunteered their time to help feed more than 500 volunteers cleaning up debris from twisters that hit Lincoln County.

Continue reading on TransCanada's blog.

Tweet me: TransCanada is proud to pitch in to support @RedCross relief efforts in the wake of last week's tornadoes in Oklahoma, blog: ow.ly/ltCW4 Contact Info:

Grady Semmens
TransCanada
+1 (800) 608-7859
communications@transcanada.com

KEYWORDS: Energy, People, Social Action & Community Engagement, TransCanada, TransCanada Corporation, Oklahoma, oklahoma tornadoes, tornado relief, American Red Cross

SOURCE: Johnson Controls

MILWAUKEE, May 29, 2013 /3BL Media/ – Johnson Controls today announced it is supporting recovery efforts from the devastating tornadoes that struck Moore, Okla., and surrounding areas with a $100,000 donation to the OK Strong Disaster Relief Fund.  The fund was established by Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin in coordination with the United Way of Central Oklahoma.  The donation will assist with the long-term medical, emotional and educational needs of the thousands of victims of the tragic events of May 20.   

The donation is in addition to a $2.5 million, five-year commitment the company made in 2012 to the American Red Cross’ Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP), which enables expedited natural disaster relief efforts by providing immediate access to critical funding, and use of pre-positioned supplies of emergency food, shelter and support, including in Moore.

“The entire Johnson Controls family extends its heartfelt sympathies to the people affected by this tragedy,” said Stephen A. Roell, chairman and chief executive officer.  “We are committed to helping our colleagues and customers in Oklahoma recover and rebuild their communities.”

Johnson Controls’ Building Efficiency business has a manufacturing facility with 900 employees in Norman, Okla., just two miles from the area most impacted by the tornadoes, and an additional two facilities within 50 miles of the tornadoes’ path.  The company has more than 1,100 employees living and working in and around the affected areas.  None of the company’s facilities were damaged.

“We have mobilized our emergency response resources to support our colleagues and customers, including using our Norman plant to distribute water, non-perishable food and generators,” said Charles A. Harvey, vice president of Diversity and Public Affairs.  “In addition, we have received an outpouring of support from our colleagues throughout the world, making personal financial, volunteer and other important contributions to the recovery effort.”

About Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. Our 168,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles. Our commitment to sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. Through our growth strategies and by increasing market share we are committed to delivering value to shareholders and making our customers successful. In 2013, Corporate Responsibility Magazine recognized Johnson Controls as the #14 company in its annual "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com.

Tweet me: Johnson Controls donates $100k to #OKStrong #DisasterRelief Fund http://3bl.me/z69nyt #CSR Contact Info:

Kurt Ebenhoch
Johnson Controls
+1 (414) 524-2361
kurt.ebenhoch@jci.com

KEYWORDS: Community, Social Gifting, American Red Cross, disaster relief, Donation

SOURCE: CITGO Petroleum Corporation

SOUTH BURLINGTON Vt., May 29, 2013 / 3BL Media/ PRNewswire/ -- Local CITGO Marketer Champlain Oil Co. raised $2,530.60 by collecting three cents from every gallon of gas purchased in the month of April at the Hinesburg Jiffy Mart for the construction of a new recreational facility, the Bissonette Family Recreation Area. The 11-acre recreational facility located off Shelburne Falls Road will accommodate youth and adult recreation programs and provide adequate recreation space to support the town's athletic programs.

"We want to thank our great customers for helping make this donation possible. We kept hearing our customers complain about how much time it took to go to a field in another town just so their kids could play. When we heard about the plan to build a nearby recreation center, we jumped at the opportunity to help fundraise for the construction," said Jiffy Mart manager Kristi Brown. "We know the facility will be a great asset to our community, and it definitely took a community to build it. We look forward to crossing the road and watching tons of games."

For many years, the Town of Hinesburg did not have the space to support its athletic programs, leaving youth programs scattered throughout the town and forcing residents to travel to surrounding towns in order to participate in team sports. In 2011, local farmer, the late Wayne Bissonette, and his family donated 11 acres of land to the Town of Hinesburg to be used as the Bissonette Family Recreation Area. This facility will include two full-size, multi‐purpose fields for soccer, football and lacrosse, a Little League baseball field, a "tot lot" playground, parking, restrooms and storage. To learn more about this project, visit www.hinesburg.org.

The campaign for the recreation area is just one way in which Champlain Oil gives back to the local community. Other examples include annual fundraising for the Muscular Dystrophy Association through a golf tournament and donations within its Jiffy Mart locations and also sponsorships for local youth sports teams, including the Charlotte Little League and CSSU Buccaneers football.

Founded in the 1940s, Champlain Oil Company is an innovative leader in the wholesale fuel and convenience store industries and has grown into one of the largest, independent gasoline, diesel and kerosene distributors in Vermont and New Hampshire. Champlain Oil works with the Trucking Fleet and individual independent dealers to help them structure a business model and insure their success. Champlain Oil currently owns 32 Jiffy Mart locations throughout Vermont and New Hampshire. For more information, visit www.champlainoil.com.

CITGO is committed to giving back to the local communities it serves through its network of locally owned stations. CITGO Marketers and Retailers in Vermont and New Hampshire own and operate nearly 140 CITGO locations and are proud to support their communities. For more information on the positive impact of the locally owned CITGO stations, visit www.CITGO.com.

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 2012 PR Newswire.  All Rights Reserved

Tweet me: #CITGO Marketer Champlain Oil Donates More Than $2,500 http://3bl.me/7z4era for the Bissonette Family Recreation Area #CSR

KEYWORDS: Citgo, csr, Champlain Oil, bissonette family recreation area, athletic programs, Youth, Adult

SOURCE: Enbridge, Inc.

When, on January 20, 2012, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA) held an official ceremony to recognize a $1 million payment from Niagara Gas Transmission Ltd. (NGTL), its members opened the meeting with the traditional Mohawk Thanksgiving Address, Ohenton Karithwatehkwen. The address, which is translated as, "The Words That Come Before All Else,” is a prayer of union with the universe. It pays tribute to the plants and animals, the natural elements, the four directions, the four seasons and everything that exists.

Traditionally spoken at the beginning of important meetings, the address set a positive tone for the speeches that were delivered shortly after by local Mohawk leaders and NGTL representatives, all of whom acknowledged the trusting relationship that now exists between the Akwesasne community and NGTL, an Enbridge subsidiary.

As tokens of the mutual sentiment, MCA members presented NGTL representatives with sweet grass baskets that could carry the good words expressed at the event.  NGTL representatives, in turn, gave MCA members three culturally-significant maple trees to represent the past, present and future of the relationship. As a sign of their appreciation, the NGTL representatives also committed to returning to the island in the spring to plant the trees.

The trusting relationship that the two groups have built is, in fact, the basis for the cooperation and land use agreement that they both signed. Under the agreement, NGTL has paid a one-time infrastructure-related fee of $1 million to the MCA, and will pay annual payments of about $100,000 for the next 20 years, for the use of Akwesasne land for an NGTL pipeline. The agreement also provides for ongoing communication and cooperation protocols regarding NGTL activities in the Akwesasne community, situated in eastern Ontario, near the Canada-U.S. border.

To read the rest of the article, click here.

Tweet me: .@Enbridge subsidiary builds relationship with Mohawk Council of #Akwesasne http://3bl.me/x7kzqw #Community

KEYWORDS: Environment, People, Social Action & Community Engagement, aboriginal relations, Mohawks of Akwesasne, Niagara Gas Transmission Ltd., economic benefits, Community Investment

SOURCE: Mary Kay

Have you ever had a really great day?  One of those days where your cheeks hurt from smiling so much? I recently had one of those days. A day that left my cheeks aching, but also my back a little sore. What was I doing? Pulling weeds! 

Now you may think it’s crazy that I am raving about pulling weeds, but these were not ordinary weeds. These were weeds growing in the Mary Kay Butterfly Garden at the Citizen’s Development Center in Dallas, TX. Mary Kay Inc. has had a long partnership with the Citizens Development Center, or the CDC for short. For more than 60 years, the CDC has served as a work center and employment placement service for adults with disabilities in the Dallas area. In fact, the CDC partnered with Mary Kay Inc. on the Pink Doing Green program to recycle our “old” silver compacts when we launched our sleek, black, refillable color compacts.

So, when the CDC contacted Mary Kay Inc. for help maintaining their garden areas, it was a no-brainer for us. Within 4 hours a small crew of Mary Kay inc. employees had volunteered to spend their day pulling weeds, battling fire ants and providing the CDC clients a place to relax and enjoy the butterflies. Talk about Go Give Spirit!

Today’s post is from Dr. Cristi Gomez. Cristi is a wife and mother of three active boys. Cristi heads Mary Kay’s Pink Doing Green® committee, which is a group of employees dedicated to increasing Mary Kay’s commitment to sustainability. For more information on Pink Doing Green®, click here. You can follow Cristi on Twitter @cristigomez.

Tweet me: Go give! Go garden! http://3bl.me/6a2c8p @MaryKay and @CDC_Dallas

KEYWORDS: Mary Kay, Pink Doing Green, csr, Citizens Development Center, helping others, Corporate Social Responsibility

SOURCE: Toyota

Toyota City, Japan, May 28, 2013 /3BL Media/—Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) will donate "Land Cruiser" SUVs to the non-profit organization Millennium Promise (MP) for use at Millennium Village sites* in impoverished regions of Africa.

MP, a non-profit organization founded in 2005 in New York, was established by Professor Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, and philanthropist Raymond G. Chambers.  The United Nations has indicated that poverty can cause regional destabilization, and in 2000 it adopted the United Nations Millennium Declaration with a target of halving the percentage of people whose income is less than one dollar a day by 2015.  To achieve the target, MP has established Millennium Village sites serving approximately 80 villages in 10 African countries and carries out comprehensive support projects that include agriculture, education, and infrastructure development.

In advance of the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development to be held early next month, TMC decided to donate the vehicles following discussions with the Japan chapter of the Millennium Promise.  TMC will donate one Land Cruiser to each Millennium Village in Tanzania and Mali.  The vehicles will be used for emergency transportation of pregnant women and other patients to hospitals, as well as to transport staff, agricultural seed, fertilizer and crops.

About the donation, Managing Officer Koki Konishi, who is responsible for social contribution at TMC, said: "Toyota will continue economic and social contribution activities aimed at achieving sustainable growth in Africa.  The eradication of poverty is an issue that must be addressed by the entire world."

Toyota has long contributed to economic development in Africa, beginning local vehicle production in South Africa in 1962, followed later by Kenya and Egypt.  Today, Toyota directly employs approximately 7,000 people in South Africa and supports various CSR initiatives such as providing food to children throughout Africa.

*Developed in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program and the Columbia University Earth Institute, the Millennium Village Project provides villages in Africa (designated as "Millennium Villages") comprehensive support in a variety of areas including agriculture, education, healthcare, sanitation, infrastructure (electric power, transport, communications), gender equality and business development.

Tweet me: Land Cruiser donated to NPO Millennium Promise in Africa. http://3bl.me/pcen3y #antipoverty #Toyota Contact Info:

Toyota

KEYWORDS: Toyota, NPO, Millennium Promise, non-profit, anti-poverty, africa

SOURCE: The Home Depot

While in college, Sonne quickly learned that a traditional classroom environment was not for her and followed her adventurous spirit to a cruise ship for work. A blessing in disguise, in the form of lost paperwork, kept her from returning to the ship while at port in Maui, Hawaii. That unexpected roadblock ultimately guided her back to her passion as a “handyman” with a large tile project on an outdoor patio.

A couple years later back on the mainland, Sonne honed her skills by learning to build a house from the foundation up and tackling flood and fire restoration projects. Her area of expertise and passion for helping others made her a natural fit at The Home Depot (#1501) in Aurora, Co., where she’s worked as a lead generator and lumber specialist. Her love of DIY and helping people achieve their dreams made her the perfect Home Depot associate.

One of Sonne’s greatest accomplishments includes the title of HGTV’s “All-American Handyman” – and first female winner the show has ever crowned. But her adventurous spirit won’t rest easy with her big win…she’s already set out to best leverage her skills and publicity.

Learn more about what's next for Sonne at http://beyondtheapron.tumblr.com/

Tweet me: An unexpected roadblock ultimately guided Home Depot associate back to her passion as a “handyman” #DIY #handyman http://bit.ly/13WOI1K

KEYWORDS: homedepot, Home Depot, DIY, handyman

SOURCE: CITGO Petroleum Corporation

BUFFALO, N.Y., May 28, 2013 /3BL Media /PRNewswire/ - East Buffalo's Mandela Market and local CITGO Marketer Goetz Energy Corporation hosted the first "Fueling Good in Buffalo Day" on Saturday, May 25, with special guest Bess the Book Bus. A national mobile literacy outreach program, Bess the Book Bus, gave away more than 150 free books to children and engaged with children and families regarding the importance of literacy.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130528/PH21238 )

"We are so proud to have played a role in this event, and very grateful to see the children so excited about their new books," said Ahmed Saleh, owner of Mandela Market. "It has truly been a very rewarding experience working with Bess the Book Bus, Goetz Energy Corporation and CITGO Petroleum to bring the children in our community their first 'Fueling Good in Buffalo Day.'"

As parents filled their gas tanks, local children were able to meet and greet Bess, participate in giveaways and partake in storytelling sessions for an afternoon of family fun. Goetz Energy Corporation representatives were also on hand to assist Bess the Book Bus and get the East Buffalo community excited about reading.

"There really isn't a more deserving area than right here in Buffalo's inner city," said Steven Jackson, gasoline marketing manager at Goetz Energy Corporation. "We really appreciate Bess the Book Bus making this special stop to join us in encouraging kids and families to be enthusiastic about reading and providing books to those who need them the most. We hope Bess will be back to visit us soon."

Bess the Book Bus, a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization devoted to extending literacy across the country, has donated more than 350,000 books to children in the United States. Run by Jennifer Frances of Tampa, Fla., the organization visits local communities in a specially designed "book bus," coordinating reading events and providing children with free, new books for them to keep. For updates on Bess the Book Bus and her 2013 tour, please visit http://bessthebookbus.org/. To learn how CITGO and local organizations like Bess the Book Bus are making a difference, visit www.FuelingGood.com. To join the conversation, "Like" CITGO Fueling Good on Facebook or follow CITGO on Twitter at @Fueling_Good.

CITGO is committed to giving back to the local communities it serves through its network of locally owned CITGO stations. Local CITGO Marketers and Retailers in New York, such as Goetz Energy Corporation and Mandela Market, own and operate nearly 400 CITGO locations and are proud to support their neighborhoods through programs like "Fueling Good Day."

Based in Houston, CITGO 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.

Tweet me: #CITGO Petroleum and Goetz #Energy Promote Literacy in Buffalo's Inner City http://3bl.me/crhg3b @Fueling_Good

KEYWORDS: CITGO Petroleum, Goetz Energy, literacy, Buffalo, Fueling Good in Buffalo Day, Mandela Market, bess the book bus

SOURCE: CVS Caremark

Today's marketplace is comprised of consumers of all ages from unique backgrounds that span an array of cultures. That's why it is vital for businesses to have a workforce that reflects the marketplaces they serve and the demographics of their communities. As a pharmacy innovation company, CVS Caremark has a business imperative to cultivate a workforce that fosters creativity and inclusion through a process of creating and sustaining an environment that naturally enables all members to fully contribute in pursuit of organizational objectives. And we rely on the collective mixture of our colleagues to spur that innovation.

At CVS Caremark, we pride ourselves on having a workforce as diverse as our patients, customers and communities and providing an environment that empowers all colleagues, regardless of their differences. To get there, we leverage numerous initiatives and programs such as employee training and development programs, Colleague Resource Groups, multicultural products and services, and an evolving supplier diversity program.

Learn more in Reinventing Pharmacy, Creating Sustainable Solutions, CVS Caremarks' latest CSR report.

Tweet me: Committed to #diversity in all aspects of the business http://3bl.me/hbnwvp via @CVSCaremarkFYI #csr

KEYWORDS: cvs, cvs caremark, diversity, csr, Corporate Social Responsibility, Reinventing Pharmacy

SOURCE: Tupperware Brands

The tornadoes that hit Oklahoma—first in Shawnee, then Moore—  on May 20, 2013 were devastating to the people who live there. Some lost loved ones, suffered injuries and lost everything they own. Many families have been affected by this horrific storm and Red Cross Spiritual Care Teams are working with partners to comfort those affected.

Tupperware Brands Corporation is partnering with the American Red Cross to assist with the relief efforts following the devastation of the Oklahoma tornadoes.  Tupperware Brands has established this giving site so that you can make a contribution to help with the recovery efforts in the affected communities.

HOW TO HELP – Click on the following link to make a donation.  Donate Here. Your gift will provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to those in need.

Tweet me: Relief efforts assisted by #Tupperware Brands partnering with American Red Cross. http://3bl.me/94wxkr @chainofcaring #tornado Contact Info:

Tupperware Brands
http://chainofcaring.org/

KEYWORDS: Tupperware Brands, Oklahoma, disaster relief, Red Cross

SOURCE: Fazoli's

OKLAHOMA CITY, May 24, 2013 / 3BL Media/ PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Feed The Children, one of the country's largest disaster and hunger relief organizations, is ready to hit the road once again with corporate partner Fazoli's for the Breadsticks for Hunger Tour.  And because the organization is one of the primary relief organizations for assistance to tornado victims in Moore, Oklahoma, which is located just miles away from its headquarters, it's hoping the tour will generate donations to replenish the resources it needs to combat childhood hunger in America and disaster relief in Oklahoma and other parts of the country.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130524/DC20727 )

The Breadsticks For Hunger Tour kicks-off in Lexington, Fazoli's home market, on May 30 with a food distribution for over 400 families.  It will travel across America in a customized food truck making stops in 22 cities, including Oklahoma City, handing out Fazoli's breadsticks in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Feed The Children.  As a part of the tour, Fazoli's has created a new flavor of Lemon Ice named "Giving Grape Lemon Ice" and will donate $1 to Feed The Children for every one it sells throughout the summer.  Fazoli's is also encouraging businesses in each market to donate as well, with an incentive of $50 off any future catering order if the company donates $250 or more to Feed The Children.  Last year the tour raised $50,000, plus donations of 9 tons of food.  Those interested in tracking the tour can go to www.breadsticksforhunger.com. 

Cathy Hull, Fazoli's Chief Marketing Officer, is excited to get the tour started.  "Fazoli's is pleased to once again partner with Feed The Children," said Hull.  "After seeing the difference the two organizations made in the lives of so many families last year, we're committed and eager to do the tour again.  This year, we are also calling on local businesses and organizations for their support, with an incentive of $50 off a catering order for donations of $250 or more to Feed The Children."

At the Lexington kickoff event, a semi-trailer will be used to distribute food and essentials.  Assistance in the distribution will be provided by the Hope Center in Lexington.  Each family will receive a 25-pound box of food and a 10-pound box of personal care items.  The boxes are designed to help a family of four for up to one week.  More than one in four children living in Lexington, 26.5 percent, is considered impoverished.  And according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 16 million American children are at risk of hunger.

"We sincerely appreciate Fazoli's for its ongoing support to our mission," said Feed The Children Vice President of Strategic Initiatives Jill vanEgmond.  "Our organization was personally impacted by the tornado in Moore, with seven of our employees losing their homes to the storm.  It has also stretched the financial resources of our organization, especially since it occurred just before the summer months when the need for hunger assistance increases because schools are out and breakfast and lunch programs end."   

Founded in 1979, Feed The Children's mission is to provide hope and resources for those without life's essentials.  A BBB Wise Giving Alliance accredited charity, Feed The Children is one of the largest charities based in the U.S., providing more than 350,000 children around the world with a hot, nourishing meal every day. Here in the U.S., nearly 10 million people receive assistance each year from food and supplies distributed through over 1,200 local partner agencies. For more information, visit www.feedthechildren.org. 

An American family favorite for more than 20 years, Fazoli's ranked #2 overall among large national fast-food chains in the prestigious Zagat Survey.  With a premium menu of freshly prepared Italian entrees, oven-baked sandwiches and salads, a new service style featuring table service and a contemporary new restaurant design, Fazoli's is expanding throughout the country. Founded in Lexington, Ky. in 1988, Fazoli's was acquired by Sun Capital Partners in 2006.

Copyright 2012 PR Newswire.  All Rights Reserved

Tweet me: Fazoli's Kicks Off Breadsticks For Hunger Tour http://3bl.me/znv5yc #CSR & partners with Feed The Children in Oklahoma

KEYWORDS: Feed the Children, breadsticks for hunger, fazoli's, Oklahoma, csr, sustainability, childhood hunger

SOURCE: Project Phoenix

WASHINGTON, May 24, 2013 /3BL Media/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The International diaspora Engagement Alliance (IdEA), Univision, and Project Phoenix announced the launch of Diasporta, an innovative partnership to engage diaspora communities, ethnic sports leagues, and sports companies, foundations, and media outlets in a collaborative process to tackle development challenges using sports in the developing world. The announcement was made at the 2013 Global Diaspora Forum in Washington, D.C. on May 14, 2013.

Diasporta aims to channel the widespread interest and shared passion for sports among diverse diaspora communities to contribute back to countries of origin and affinity. As a bridge for diaspora engagement, Diasporta will promote the role of sports in sustainable community development, particularly to support recovery, reconstruction, and resilience efforts. By leveraging the networks created by ethnic sports leagues and affinity groups, Diasporta will inspire and mobilize global diasporas in an effort to help rebuild communities by supporting infrastructure projects and community programs that engage sports as a platform. Efforts such as mentor linkages, will create enhanced opportunities for youth, as well as skills training and professional development.

Project Phoenix, a non-profit organization established by Haitian sports icon and CNN Hero, Boby Duval, and Delos co-founder, Morad Fareed, to impact desperate communities through creating bold sport projects and partnerships, is the centerpiece example of Diasporta's mission. Launched through a Clinton Global Initiative 2012 commitment, the Phoenix Stadium is a 12,000 seat professional soccer stadium complex to be built in Cite Soleil, Haiti. The stadium, designed by world-renowned architect Carlos Zapata, will also house LADH, a youth development program that provides impoverished children with a safe, clean, and supportive environment where they can learn the discipline of sports and the structure of teamwork—and offer a soccer academy, elementary and middle school dormitories. It will be landscaped with edible gardens, a small lake containing tilapia, a composting and recycling plant, as well as serve as the new centerpiece.

Diasporta seeks to build partnerships in support of Project Phoenix. A media partnership with Univision is also helping to raise awareness of the project. Univision's News and Sports divisions will offer support and coverage of the projects as they grow and develop. Univision is the most-watched Spanish-language television network in the country and one of the top five networks in the United States regardless of language.

"Soccer is one of the passion points for the Caribbean and Hispanic community and the launch of Phoenix Stadium is the perfect centerpiece for Diasporta. When complete, the project will increase access to play and education for Haitian youth, and be a great example of solidarity in the Americas," says Stephen Keppel, Director of Empowerment Initiatives, Univision Network News.

One of the first Diasporta activities will take place on June 8 in Miami, Fla. at the highly anticipated exhibition soccer match between the reigning World Cup Champions, Spain, and the Haitian National Team. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to support Project Phoenix.  

"Diasporta's support and vision is invaluable to the Phoenix Stadium's mission," says Boby Duval, Founder of Project Phoenix. "Diasporta will enhance our effort by bringing the right partner-mentors to the table."

About Diasporta
Diasporta is made possible by a consortium of synergetic private, public, and civil society institutions that are committed to utilize the convening power of sports to tackle global challenges.  The founding members of the Diasporta partnership are International diaspora Engagement Alliance (IdEA), Univision, and Delos Living. For more information, please visit www.diasporta.org.

About International diaspora Engagement Alliance
The International diaspora Engagement Alliance (IdEA) promotes and supports diaspora-centered initiatives in entrepreneurship, volunteerism, philanthropy, diplomacy, and social innovation in countries and regions of diaspora origin. IdEA is a non-partisan, non-profit partnership platform that engages global diaspora communities, the private sector, civil society, and public institutions in collaborative efforts to support economic and social development. To learn more about IdEA, please visit www.diasporaalliance.org.

About Univision News
Univision's award-winning News division is committed to informing the country's fastest growing segment across all media platforms, including TV, Radio, and Interactive. Hispanics count on the latest and most relevant content that impacts the community through: "Noticiero Univision," the Network's evening, late evening and weekend national newscast; Sunday public affairs program "Al Punto" (To The Point); newsmagazine shows "Aqui y Ahora" (Here and Now) and "Primer Impacto" (First Impact); as well as morning news segments on "Despierta America" (Wake Up America). In the last year, Univision has strengthened its news team and expanded its news operations by adding Investigative and Documentary Units.

About Univision Communications Inc.
Univision Communications Inc. (UCI) is the leading media company serving Hispanic America. Its assets include Univision Network, one of the top five networks in the U.S. regardless of language and the most-watched Spanish-language broadcast television network in the country reaching approximately 96% of U.S. Hispanic television households; UniMas, a leading Spanish-language broadcast television network reaching approximately 89% of U.S. Hispanic television households; Univision Cable Networks, including Galavision, the country's leading Spanish-language cable network, as well as Univision tlnovelas, a 24-hour cable network dedicated to novelas, Univision Deportes Network, a 24-hour cable network dedicated to sports, ForoTV, a 24-hour Spanish-language cable network dedicated to news, and an additional suite of six cable offerings - De Película, De Pelicula Clasico, Bandamax, Ritmoson, Telehit and Distrito Comedia; UVideos, the first bilingual digital network serving Hispanic America; Univision Studios, which produces and co-produces reality shows, dramatic series and other programming formats for the Company's platforms; Univision Television Group, which owns and/or operates 62 television stations in major U.S. Hispanic markets and Puerto Rico; Univision Radio, the leading Hispanic radio group which owns and/or operates 69 radio stations in 16 of the top 25 U.S. Hispanic markets and Puerto Rico; Univision Interactive, a network of products and offerings including Univision.com, which continues to be the No. 1 most-visited Spanish-language website among U.S. online Hispanics, Univision Movil, a longstanding industry-leader with unique, relevant mobile products and services, and Univision Partner Group, a specialized advertising and publisher network. Headquartered in New York City, UCI has television network operations in Miami and television and radio stations and sales offices in major cities throughout the United States. For more information, please Univision.net.

About Project Phoenix
Project Phoenix is a non-profit organization that resulted from a commitment made by Morad Fareed of Delos—a Wellness Real Estate™ company—and Boby Duval of L'Athletique D'Haiti (LADH)—a youth development program that provides underprivileged youth with a safe, clean, supportive environment where they can learn the discipline of sports and the structure of teamwork—at the 2012 Clinton Global Initiative to build a 12,000 seat professional soccer stadium in Cite Soleil, one of the poorest areas in Haiti and a designated United Nations red zone. More information on Project Phoenix is available at www.project-phoenix.org.

About Delos LLC®:
A U.S.-based real estate developer, Delos® is the pioneer of Wellness Real Estate™, which incorporates amenities that help sustain both the environment and enhance residents' health and well-being. In 2012, Delos introduced the WELL Building Standard™ with President Clinton, the world's first building standard focused exclusively on enhancing people's health and well-being in direct, evidence-based ways through the built environment. Delos designs include an array of innovative, built-in amenities that research suggests will improve various aspects of individual occupant health including: cardiovascular, respiratory and sleep health, orthopedic health, weight and metabolism management, stress reduction, mood enhancement, cognition and memory enhancement, health literacy and health behavior motivation. More information on Delos is available at www.delosliving.com.

About Fondation L'Athletique D'Haiti
Fondation L'Athletique D'Haiti (LADH) is a nonprofit youth development program that provides underprivileged youth with a safe, clean, supportive environment where they can learn firsthand how the discipline of sports and the structure of teamwork can enhance skills, enrich lives and change futures. More information on FLADH is available at www.lathletiquedhaiti.org.

Copyright 2012 PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved.

Tweet me: International Diaspora Alliance Launches Diasporta To Build Sport Infrastructure & Communities W/in Developing World http://3bl.me/764c4m

KEYWORDS: international diaspora alliance, Diasporta, Phoenix Stadium, Cite Soleil, Haiti, 2013 Global Diaspora Forum

SOURCE: Toyota

May 24, 2013 /3BL Media/ – Toyota Financial Services (TFS), as part of its Making Life Easier for YOUth initiative, recently awarded a new Corolla to the 2012-13 Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BCGA) National Youth of the Year Winner Trei Dudley.  The vehicle presentation took place at Crown Toyota in Lawrence, Kan. on May 14.  Dudley was joined by Club teens from Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence, where she was a member for 10 years and worked as a junior staffer, as well as Club teens from nearby Boys & Girls Club of Wyandotte County.  Representatives from Toyota and the Lawrence community, including Mayor Michael Dever, also attended the event.

National Youth of the Year is BGCA’s premier recognition for teen Club members who have made outstanding contributions to their family, school, community and local Club while overcoming personal obstacles.  Nominations begin at the Club and continue through the state, regional and national levels.  Participants are chosen on local and state levels, with five regional winners meeting each September in Washington, D.C., to compete for the National Youth of the Year title. Five judges individually interview each candidate and select the national winner.

“Trei embodies the spirit of the Youth of the Year program,” said Al Smith, group vice president, TFS Service Operations & Corporate Planning.  “She has been a mentor for other students and worked to improve her community all while overcoming obstacles and maintaining high academic standards.  Toyota is proud to join with BGCA in support of such an extraordinary young woman.” 

The oldest of eight children, Dudley overcame poverty and domestic violence through support from Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence and her community.  Her mother, Cathy Brittain, attended the vehicle presentation and expressed her appreciation for the new car.

“When your kids are little and you’re living day to day, you wonder how their futures will turn out, how you can make things better for them,” she said.  “I will forever be thankful to Toyota for all they have done for Trei.  With Toyota’s support, her future is so much brighter.” 

Dudley is a graduate of Free State High School in Lawrence and attends the University of Arkansas, majoring in business.
 

Tweet me: Making Life Easier for Youth - New @Toyota awarded to National Youth of the Year. http://3bl.me/rfrf78

KEYWORDS: Toyota, toyota financial, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, making life easier for youth, Trei Dudley

SOURCE: 3BL Media, LLC

What do disaster relief, social impact, strategic mission alignment, pro bono, human rights activism, and employee engagement have in common? They’re all terms now used to define corporate volunteerism, circa 2013. Volunteerism in the workplace no longer means just an annual day of giving, in employee work hours and donations. Those traditional practices continue, particularly at legacy corporations with a long history of philanthropy and corporate citizenship. They are good practices, to be sure. Many charities, nonprofits, and community organizations depend on philanthropic dollars and the helping hands of volunteers from business to achieve their goals. But for today’s more dynamic companies and younger work force, the traditional ways are not always enough.

What I heard at the recent VolunteerMatch Client Summit is that corporate volunteerism is now evolving into a variety of diverse, innovative, and more in-depth programs. The many different titles of those attending the Summit indicated the wide range of contemporary volunteerism practices: director, community engagement; reputation and social impact manager; VP of partnerships; and program manager are a few examples. The variety and the larger scale of current volunteer programs are being largely driven by a younger, millennial work force that is asking for deeper engagement in such activities through the workplace. Because of this paradigm shift, new volunteer initiatives are now being more fully integrated into business plans, from daily operations to long-term strategies.

Volunteer activities are becoming part of the basic DNA of companies, just as CSR and sustainability ideas are now included in core business models. Volunteering is becoming a practice that many companies and organizations, and their employees and stakeholders, work at every day, in the course of business as usual. That has implications for the bottom line, from employee retention and productivity to the development of new markets for products and services.  A new metric, a dollars and cents measurement of ROI, is being applied to what has historically been a generalized "good works" statement. This new volunteerism is turning into a tangible asset in the overall corporate tool kit to complete the work of business.

I’m John Howell for 3BL Media.

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

Video Source: The New Corporate Volunteerism: Integrated into Strategy, Measured at the Bottom Line

Tweet me: The New Corporate #Volunteerism-http://3bl.me/ma48vr -the latest #CSR Minute from @3BLMedia

KEYWORDS: VolunteerMatch, VolunteerMatch Client Summit 2013, volunteerism, disaster relief, Social Impact, strategic mission alignment, pro bono, human rights activism, Employee Engagement, csr, CSR Minute, 3bl Media

SOURCE: CVS Caremark

WOONSOCKET, R.I., May 24, 2013 /3BL Media/ --The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, a private foundation created by CVS Caremark, today announced that it will donate $25,000 to the American Red Cross to support the organization's tornado relief efforts in Oklahoma and Texas. In addition, the Charitable Trust will match tornado relief donations to the Red Cross from CVS Caremark's employees up to an additional $25,000, resulting in a potential combined donation from the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust and CVS Caremark colleagues of at least $75,000.

"Our thoughts are with everyone in Oklahoma and Texas who have been affected by the recent devastating tornadoes," said Larry Merlo, President and CEO of CVS Caremark. "The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust and the American Red Cross have partnered for several years to provide relief to communities impacted by natural disasters. We hope that the contributions of our private foundation and our colleagues will help these communities recover quickly."

CVS/pharmacy has also provided support for tornado relief efforts in Moore, Oklahoma. The Company donated over $5,000 in food, water and personal care products to Feed the Children, an Oklahoma City-based non-profit organization that provides hope and resources for those without life's essentials. Feed the Children has launched a campaign to aid tornado victims in the town of Moore (www.feedthechildren.org).

Moore, Oklahoma is home to two CVS/pharmacy stores and a MinuteClinic retail medical clinic inside one of the CVS stores. The stores are open and serving the prescription and emergency supplies needs of the community. The CVS/pharmacy on SW 19th Street in Moore will remain open 24 hours a day to serve customers. The MinuteClinic is also open and staffed by nurse practitioners who are providing critically-needed healthcare services in the community, such as tetanus shots and dressing changes.

"The dedication of our colleagues who live and work in Moore to keep our locations open, along with our many other colleagues from nearby markets who are providing assistance in this community, is an inspiring realization of our organization's purpose to help people on their path to better health," said Merlo.

About the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust
The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, Inc. is a private foundation created by CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS). CVS Caremark is the largest pharmacy health care provider in the nation. The Trust's mission is to provide funding for health care, education and community involvement initiatives in CVS Caremark communities. General information about CVS Caremark is available through the Investor Relations portion of the Company's Web site at http://info.cvscaremark.com/investors or through the Web site's newsroom at http://info.cvscaremark.com/newsroom.

About CVS/pharmacy
CVS/pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS), is America's leading retail pharmacy with more than 7,400 CVS/pharmacy and Longs Drug stores. CVS/pharmacy is reinventing pharmacy to help people on their path to better health by providing the most accessible and personalized expertise, both in its stores and online at CVS.com. General information about CVS/pharmacy and CVS Caremark is available at http://info.cvscaremark.com.

Tweet me: American @RedCross receives support for #Oklahoma & #Texas #tornado victims from @CVSCaremarkFYI http://3bl.me/p3dtb3 Contact Info:

Mike DeAngelis
+1 (401) 770-2645
michael.deangelis@cvscaremark.com

KEYWORDS: cvs, cvs caremark, cvs caremark fyi, tornado, tornado relief, Oklahoma, Texas, American Red Cross, employee donations, cvs caremark charitable trust

SOURCE: Union Pacific

KUPB News
05/13/2013 4:01 PM

(ENTRAVISION) ODESSA, TX. – Con el aumento en transito en el Permian Basin, la empresa ferriovaria Union Pacific espera que con estos nuevos anuncios espectaculares, las personas tengan mas cuidado al cruzar las vias de tren. "Nosotros tenemos una campaña que se llama, 'Ciudado Con el Tren,' o, 'Always Expect a Train,' esto incluye anuncios por la calles," dijo Raquel Espinoza, portavoz de la empresa Union Pacific. 

Esto anuncios incluye calles que hoy en dia se encuentran saturadasde personas conduciendo vehiculos comerciales.

"Las personas andan de prisa y andamos muy distraidos con los celulares y diferentes cosas, es importante que cuando uno va cerca de las vias enfocar, especialmente para asegurar que uno seguro," dijo Espinoza.

El parar en vez de tratar de ganarle al tren, evitara un tragico accidente, ya que un tren no tiene la capacidad de detenerse de inmediato como un automobil.

"Un tren no se puede parrar inmediamente se puede tomar mas de una milla para parase completamente," según Espinoza.

Existen varios consejos que no solo evitara ser multado, hasta le podria salvarle la vida.

"Donde la calle se topa con las vias y hay señalmientos o diferentes cosas que marcan y dicen, aquí hay vias y hay que tener ciudado, y legalmente uno tiene que sederle el paso al tren, y si viene un tren hay que pararse." ella dijo.

Para conocer mas sobre la campaña, "Cuidado Con el Tren," puede ingresar a la pagina Web, ciudadoconeltren.com.

Tweet me: .@UnionPacific comienza nueva campaña de #seguridad y #prevencion http://3bl.me/yrydt2

KEYWORDS: Eco-Living, Consumption & Travel, Marketing, Media & Communications, People, Social Action & Community Engagement, seguridad, ferrocarril, prevencion

SOURCE: Justmeans

Accenture has awarded Back on My Feet (BoMF), a national nonprofit, a grant of $300,000 to expand skills based training initiatives. With this grant, Accenture's total support to BoMF comes to $619,000 since 2011. BoMF promotes running as an effective way to help those experiencing homeless improve their lives and achieve financial independence.

The current grant will support the "Next Steps" program of Back on My Feet. This program combines personal training fwith access to housing opportunities, financial literacy courses, financial aid, job skills training, including engagement with employers to help BoMF members gain new jobs.

Michael Scimo, Managing Director, Human Capital & Diversity, North America, Accenture, said: "Skills to Succeed combines the passion, experience and commitment our people have for nurturing talent and giving back to the community. We share Back on My Feet's commitment to providing people with the skills they need to open the doors to economic independence and long-term employment."

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Vikas is a staff writer for the Sustainable Development news and editorial section on Justmeans. He is an MBA with 20 years of managerial and entrepreneurial experience and global travel. He is the author of "The Power of Money" (Scholars, 2003), a book that presents a revolutionary monetary economic theory on poverty alleviation in the developing world. Vikas is also the official writer for an international social project for developing nations "Decisions for Life" run in collaboration between the ILO, the University of Amsterdam and the Indian Institute of Management.

Tweet me: .@Accenture awards @backonmyfeet "Skills to Succeed Initiative Awards Grant" http://3bl.me/wfdgxb @justmeans #socialenterprise

KEYWORDS: Green Companies, nonprofit organizations, Cause Global, best practices, funding, Accenture, back on my feet

SOURCE: Toyota

NEW YORK, May 24, 2013 /3BL Media/ – Toyota yesterday announced a $250,000 donation to support relief and rebuilding efforts for victims of the tornado that hit Moore, Oklahoma and the greater Oklahoma City area on May 20.  Funds will be allocated to immediate response and for mid-to-long term needs in the areas of food, small business revitalization and home rebuilding.  Toyota will also match employee contributions.
 
“On behalf of Toyota, we express our sincere condolences to everyone impacted by this devastating tornado. Our thoughts are with the affected families as they work to rebuild their lives,” said Latondra Newton, group vice president of philanthropy and chief diversity officer.

Media Contacts:

Luis Rosero
646-512-1406

Tweet me: More help for Moore, Oklahoma #tornado relief. http://3bl.me/rtzxyv @Toyota

KEYWORDS: tornado, Toyota, Moore, Oklahoma, philanthropy, disaster relief, rebuilding efforts, employee donations